FFormer Barcelona legend Andrus Iniesta has been charged with aggravated fraud in Peru as authorities investigate failed sports and music events promoted under companies linked to the 2010 World Cup winner.
The Peruvian public prosecutor’s office has launched a preliminary investigation following complaints from Gucho Entertainment SAC and several local investors, who claim they have poured about $600,000 into projects backed by NSN Barcelona, of which Iniesta is chairman, and its South American subsidiary NSN Sudamrica.
According to official documents, Iniesta used his global prestige to persuade Peruvian businessmen to invest in major events such as international friendly soccer matches and K-pop festivals. Authorities claim these events were arranged and promised between NSN Barcelona and its local branch. Most never made it back to life.
Only the Upa Upa Fest took place, and prosecutors claim the event caused huge financial losses and canceled all other commitments, including a legendary match between former stars of Peru and Spain and a friendly between Cienciano and Nacional de Quito.
23 years ago, Andrus Iniesta made his debut for Barcelona.
magic
(via @ChampionsLeague) pic.twitter.com/nA3ZN214ry
? B/R Football (@brfootball) October 29, 2025
Iniesta’s company disappears without explanation
The suit alleges that investors have not received any financial benefits despite the huge investment and public promotions that Iniesta made when the company was founded in 2023, praising Peru’s passion for sports.
Others reported that their funds were not refunded. NSN Sudamrika was later declared bankrupt and placed in liquidation with no accounting for the funds.
Iniesta is under investigation along with Paul Valderrama Rubio and Carlos Gumez Pintor, who are accused of authorizing and managing the company’s expansion into Peru. Authorities are currently trying to trace the missing funds and assess possible corporate wrongdoing.
|Andrus Iniesta, Acusado de estafa en Per. As a Spanish national and world soccer player in 2010, Andrus Iniesta fought recklessly before the match. Vincula and Deportivos and the festival of art, the reality of reality, the reversal of pesce… pic.twitter.com/a1jTRIeRBg
? Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24) November 10, 2025
Iniesta has not commented on the lawsuit.
Investors affected include Ibn Petrozzi, who donated $35,000 to a friendly match in Miami between Ecuador’s Barcelona SC and Sporting Cristal. Another pair of investors, Juan Manuel Vargas Alba and Jorge Alberto Yez Giles, claim to have lost $15,000 and $14,850, respectively.
The case is still in its early stages, and prosecutors plan to ask those involved to submit further documents. At this time, Iniesta and the others named have not publicly commented on the allegations.
