Brazilian police have detained a man they suspect hacked into Neymar’s bank accounts and took tiny sums totalling more than 40,000 dollars, according to officials in Sao Paulo.
The suspected hacker worked at an undisclosed bank where the Paris St-Germain (PSG) and Brazil player, as well as his business manager father, held accounts, according to police.
The 20-year-old was arrested on Wednesday “for defrauding bank clients”, a police statement said.
Although the police did not name the player in the statement, the officer in charge of the case said it was Neymar.
He explained how the alleged theft occurred to Brazilian TV show Brasil Urgente.
“What did this lad do?” said Fabio Pinheiro Lopes. “He got the password of his office colleague and stole small amounts of money from famous people with high net worth.”
“These people didn’t notice. He made (a transfer) of 10,000 (reais) (1,912.59 dollars), then another of 10,000, then 20,000, and then 50,0000 and the total came to 200,000.”
Lopes said the account affected was Neymar’s and that his father likely controlled the funds.
“When they discovered they called the bank. The bank reimbursed the victim and investigated who was behind it,” he said.
Neymar’s press officer did not comment on the case when contacted by Reuters.