Caio Marchesani

Key Points

• Research suggests Caio Marchesani, a 38-year-old Italian in the UK, is linked to money laundering for drug traffickers, with evidence leaning toward his involvement in laundering hundreds of millions via Bitcoin.
• He likely faces extradition to Belgium, with legal proceedings ongoing as of recent reports, though the outcome remains uncertain.
• The evidence points to red flags, such as consumer complaints, employment disputes, and attempts to suppress negative press, raising concerns about financial fraud and consumer protection.
• Unexpectedly, his academic background in engineering and finance contrasts sharply with allegations, suggesting a complex persona.

Background

Caio Marchesani, born in April 1985, moved to the UK early and built a career in trading and analytics. He holds a Master of Engineering from University College London, specializing in Applied Mathematics and Finance, and claims to have managed portfolios worth over $300 million. His professional roles include work with top-tier investment banks and hedge funds, and he is currently associated with TF Pay and Oil Analytics Ltd. However, his directorships at companies like Trans-Fast Remittance and Acai Holding Ltd have been scrutinised, with Trans-Fast being an FCA-regulated payment institution where he resigned in September 2023.

Allegations and Legal Status

Marchesani is alleged to have laundered hundreds of millions of euros for drug traffickers, using Bitcoin via Binance, with ties to notorious figures like Sergio Roberto De Carvalho (“Brazilian Pablo Escobar”) and Flor Bressers (“finger cutter”), both arrested in 2022. Reports from FinTelegram and Bloomberg suggest he managed 14 Binance accounts for laundering, linked to a Dutch investigation involving 12 tonnes of cocaine seized in Rotterdam. Belgian authorities sought his extradition, and a London judge ruled in favor in September 2023, with him held without bail. His trial, involving 30 defendants, was postponed, and he faces potential jail time of up to five years if convicted.

Risks and Red Flags

Consumer complaints highlight delays, lack of transparency, and high fees at Trans-Fast Remittance, with employment tribunal disputes suggesting unfair treatment and financial mismanagement. Reports also mention attempts to censor negative press, with allegations of tax evasion and regulatory violations. These red flags raise significant concerns for consumer protection and financial fraud, potentially eroding trust in the fintech sector.

Comprehensive Investigation Report on Caio Marchesani

As investigative journalists, we have thoroughly examined Caio Marchesani, a 38-year-old Italian national residing in the UK, in response to concerns about his alleged involvement in financial crimes, consumer protection risks, and reputational threats. Our analysis, conducted as of April 1, 2025, encompasses personal profiles, open-source intelligence (OSINT), undisclosed business relationships, scam reports, red flags, allegations, criminal proceedings, lawsuits, sanctions, adverse media, negative reviews, consumer complaints, and bankruptcy details. We present our findings in a detailed report, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for our readers.

Introduction

We stand at the precipice of a financial scandal reverberating through London’s fintech landscape. Caio Marchesani, once celebrated as a visionary in trading and analytics, now faces allegations of money laundering, fraud, and ties to notorious drug traffickers. Our investigation seeks to unravel the complexities of his operations, assess the risks to consumers and the financial system, and provide clarity amidst a web of controversy. With mounting extradition proceedings and adverse media reports, we aim to deliver an authoritative account based on verified sources.

Personal Profile and Background

Caio Marchesani, born in April 1985, moved to the UK at a young age and established himself as a businessman and hedge fund manager. His academic credentials are impressive, holding a 5-year Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical Engineering from University College London (UCL), ranked 4th globally at the time, with specializations in Applied Mathematics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Finance, and Propulsion Engines. He also attended lectures at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). Over 16 years, he claims to have managed portfolios totaling over US$300 million, working with top-tier investment banks and hedge funds in London.

Our research into his professional background reveals current roles at TF Pay and Oil Analytics Ltd, where he developed a quantitative trading framework, becoming a Bloomberg Data provider. His LinkedIn profile (LinkedIn) lists him at Oil Analytics Ltd, though access to detailed connections was restricted. His personal website (Caio Marchesani) portrays him as an enthusiastic investor in financial innovation, but this contrasts sharply with the allegations we uncovered.

Business Relationships and Associations

Marchesani’s business interests include several companies, as per UK Companies House records (Companies House). He is a director of Acai Holding Ltd (active, appointed October 12, 2022, turnover approximately £4.3 million) and was previously a director of Trans-Fast Remittance (London) Limited, resigning on September 22, 2023, after his arrest. Trans-Fast, an FCA-regulated payment institution, is central to the allegations, with 85% Brazilian customers and ambitions to become an online bank. We also identified Optima FX Ltd, linked to Trans-Fast, and Acai Berry Foods Ltd, where he is a 50% shareholder and CFO, claiming it as a legitimate business focused on healthy eating.

Undisclosed relationships emerged with criminal figures Sergio Roberto De Carvalho and Flor Bressers, both arrested in 2022 for drug trafficking and money laundering. Communications under the pseudonym ‘Greysmith’ linked him to De Carvalho (‘Lucrativeherb’), discussing drug trafficking risks, as reported by Protos. These associations raise significant concerns about the legitimacy of his business operations.

Criminal Allegations and Legal Proceedings

Our investigation uncovered serious allegations of money laundering, with reports suggesting Marchesani facilitated hundreds of millions of euros in illicit funds for drug traffickers using Bitcoin via Binance. FinTelegram details his arrest at Heathrow Airport in May 2023, with £1.5 million in crypto assets found, and his extradition to Belgium ordered by a London judge in September 2023. The case is linked to a Dutch probe three years prior, involving 12 tonnes of cocaine (€260 million) seized in Rotterdam, with 33 suspects identified across multiple countries.

Legal proceedings include a postponed trial in Belgium involving 30 defendants, including Bressers, with Marchesani facing potential five years in jail if convicted. His lawyers at Mishcon de Reya claim the prosecution’s case has “false, vague, ambiguous or inaccurate particulars,” denying allegations relate to UK business interests, as per The Standard. We found no direct evidence of sanctions, but the scale of operations suggests regulatory scrutiny is warranted.

Scam Reports, Red Flags, and Adverse Media

Red flags abound in our analysis. As noted by Intelligence Line, consumer complaints include delays in transactions, lack of transparency, and high fees at Trans-Fast Remittance. Employment tribunal disputes highlight unfair treatment, financial mismanagement, and unethical practices. Negative reviews and adverse media reports, such as from FinanceScam.com, warn of fraud risks, with allegations of tax evasion, regulatory violations, and attempts to suppress negative press, including censoring articles and social media posts.

We identified additional allegations of perjury and impersonation, with reports suggesting efforts to minimize visibility of accusations. The use of 14 Binance accounts for laundering, as per Jornal de Negócios, underscores systemic risks, with Belgium’s FSMA directing Binance to cease operations due to legal breaches.

Lawsuits, Bankruptcy Details, and Consumer Complaints

We found no explicit bankruptcy details for Marchesani’s companies, but financials from Companies House show Acai Holding Ltd with significant turnover, while Trans-Fast remains active post-resignation. Lawsuits are implied in employment tribunal disputes, but no direct court filings were accessible. Consumer complaints, as mentioned, focus on transaction issues and lack of transparency, with calls for increased scrutiny by regulators like the FCA.

Risk Assessment

We assess the risks as follows, focusing on consumer protection, financial fraud, and reputational threats:

The transnational nature of his alleged activities amplifies financial fraud risks, which have implications for international money laundering regulations. To mitigate these threats, we recommend heightened scrutiny and consumer education.

Conclusion and Expert Opinion

In our expert opinion, the case of Caio Marchesani exemplifies the dark side of financial innovation, highlighting the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks to combat money laundering and fraud. His alleged exploitation of cryptocurrency platforms underscores systemic vulnerabilities, with significant risks to consumers and the fintech industry’s reputation. We advise extreme caution in dealings with his businesses until legal proceedings conclude, emphasizing the potential for substantial harm. This case calls for increased transparency, international cooperation, and consumer vigilance to safeguard financial integrity.