Retired Football Star Issues Grave Warning to Scammer Targeting His Family

omidbasir- The renowned football icon, famed for his formidable strength and fiery temperament during his playing days, has directed that intensity toward a criminal who targeted his family. In a video shared on his social media platforms, the 43-year-old did not hold back as he addressed the individual responsible for deceiving his mother into transferring a significant sum of money.

The former forward revealed that a scammer had successfully impersonated him, convincing his mother to transfer funds under false pretenses. The betrayal of trust and the targeting of a vulnerable family member ignited a furious response from the retired star, who set a deadline for the return of the funds before resorting to personal action.

“You scoundrel, you better give it back, because I’m going to hunt you down like a demon,” the Brazilian warned in the video.

The threat escalated quickly, with the ex-footballer invoking religious imagery to underscore the seriousness of his intent. He made it abundantly clear that his patience was nonexistent and that the perpetrator had crossed an unforgivable line.

“If you don’t return it, you’ll witness the devil himself come down to earth. I’ll give you 24 hours,” he asserted.

This scam appears to be a variant of the common “fake son” or “changed number” fraud. The criminal contacted the striker’s mother, pretending to be her son and claiming that he had changed his mobile number. Exploiting her maternal instincts and trust, the fraudster managed to persuade her to deposit over 15,000 Brazilian reais (approximately $3,000) into a bank account.

In his video address, the ex-Selecao forward clarified that he has never altered his phone number, debunking the deception used to manipulate his mother. He expressed profound offense at the violation of his family circle, emphasizing that certain boundaries in life are sacred.

“My mother just deposited over 15,000 reais into an account belonging to someone pretending to be me. My mother! You don’t mess with mothers, grandmothers, and family,” he stated emphatically.

The intensity of his message will resonate with defenders who faced ‘The Emperor’ during his prime. In the mid-2000s, this left-footed striker was arguably the most feared marksman globally, merging raw physical power with exquisite technical skill. He enjoyed a distinguished career in Europe, most notably with Inter Milan, where he became a cult hero at the San Siro.

His journey also took him through Fiorentina, Roma, and Parma in Italy, alongside spells back in his homeland with Sao Paulo, Corinthians, and Athletico Paranaense. On the international stage, he was a significant force, scoring 27 goals for the Brazilian national team and playing a pivotal role in their 2004 Copa America and 2005 Confederations Cup victories. While often perceived as having unfulfilled potential due to personal struggles, his talent left an undeniable impact on the sport.

Since retiring, the former superstar has largely distanced himself from the glamorous football world, returning to his roots in Vila Cruzeiro, a well-known favela in Rio de Janeiro where he grew up. Despite the area’s challenges of violence and poverty, he frequently describes the community as the only place where he feels genuinely at home, respected, and connected to his identity.

Living among the people he grew up with, he maintains a powerful presence within the locality. His decision to publicize the scam and issue a threat to the perpetrator “like a demon” carries significant weight given his stature in Rio. The ultimatum indicates that the 24-hour countdown is underway for the fraudster to reverse the transaction before facing the wrath of one of Brazil’s most iconic, and currently most incensed, figures.