Reported by Marko Zivkovic

(Excerpt shared below. To read full report, go to: https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/04/16/320m-money-laundering-scheme-uncovered-using-icloud-backup)

An iCloud backup played a crucial role in the discovery of a money laundering ring in Brazil.

Brazil’s federal police have uncovered a large-scale money laundering group involving influencers and musicians, all thanks to an iCloud backup.

iCloud backups have played a key role in exposing organized crime, helping police uncover a poker rigging scheme in October 2025, and now contributing to the discovery of a $320 million money laundering operation in Brazil.

As part of an investigation into alleged illegal gambling and international drug trafficking, Brazilian authorities arrested accountant Rodrigo Morgado. Upon gaining access to his iCloud backup, however, investigators found evidence of a separate, complex money laundering scheme.

As 9to5mac notes, this discovery led to 39 temporary arrest warrants and 45 search and seizure warrants in eight states and Brazil’s federal district.

Authorities claim they were able to map the structure of a group suspected of laundering more than $320 million via illegal betting, raffles, proxies, international drug trafficking, shell companies, cryptocurrencies, and overseas transfers.