Former Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta has been accused of aggravated fraud in Peru as authorities investigate failed sporting and music events promoted under companies linked to the 2010 World Cup winner. The Peruvian Public Prosecutor's Office has opened a preliminary probe following a complaint from Gucho Entertainment S.A.C. and several local investors, who claim they poured approximately $600,000 into projects backed by NSN Barcelona - a company chaired by Iniesta - and its South American subsidiary, NSN Sudamérica. According to official documents, Iniesta's global prestige was allegedly leveraged to convince Peruvian businesspeople to invest in major events, including international soccer friendlies and a K-pop festival. Authorities say those events were promised in coordination between NSN Barcelona and its regional branch. Most never came to life. Only the Upa Upa Fest was held, and prosecutors say the event generated huge financial losses, which then led to the cancellation of all other commitments, including a legends match featuring former Peruvian and Spanish stars and a friendly between Cienciano and Nacional de Quito. ? B/R Football (@brfootball) https://twitter.com/brfootball/status/1983496020299223530?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Iniesta's company disappeared without explanation The complaint alleges that despite the large investments and public promotions - including Iniesta praising Peru's passion for sports during the company's 2023 launch - investors received no financial return. Several individuals also reported that funds were never reimbursed. NSN Sudamérica was later declared bankrupt and placed into liquidation without providing any accounting of the money. Iniesta is named in the investigation along with Paul Valderrama Rubio and Carlos Gómez Pintor, who are accused of authorizing and managing the company's expansion into Peru. Authorities are now seeking to trace the missing funds and assess potential corporate irregularities. ? Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) https://twitter.com/AlertaNews24/status/1988002356508712967?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Iniesta has not commented on the lawsuit Among the affected investors is Iván Petrozzi, who says he contributed $35,000 for a friendly in Miami involving Barcelona SC of Ecuador and Sporting Cristal. Another pair of investors, Juan Manuel Vargas Alva and Jorge Alberto Yáñez Giles, claim they lost $15,000 and $14,850, respectively. The case remains in the early stages, with prosecutors planning to request further documentation from the involved parties. As of now, Iniesta and the other named individuals have not publicly commented on the allegations.
