Encrypted Code Reveals $44 Million Transactions in a 'Cold Wallet' Linked to Cerimedo

A record of numbers and letters found on Fernando Cerimedo's cell phone uncovered a multimillion-dollar money movement. Last week, a screenshot was circulated as part of a report from the Forensic Investigations Institute (IDIF) of Bolivia. According to authorities, the phone belonged to Cerimedo, a political consultant and "senior advisor" to President Rodrigo Paz. The code found corresponds to a "cold wallet" or wallet through which transactions exceeding $44 million were made over a six-month period. Although the wallet currently holds less than nine dollars, tracking conducted by opposition senator Leonardo Roca confirmed that large sums were moved as a bridge between those making deposits and the recipients. The code was found on the seized phone, which was scanned as part of the investigations into the attempted feminicide facing the presidential advisor, following an armed attack by two hitmen against his partner, lawyer Nadia Beller. An interactive map released by Senator Roca shows the flow of transfers. According to his findings, the account attributed to Cerimedo sent the money it received to ten other accounts, one of which recorded movements of several million dollars in six months. "This is not just any money, it is a trace of cryptocurrency mining with transfers to ten other accounts, from cold wallet to hot wallet to cash out. This leaves a trace, and we will follow the money trail," said Senator Roca, as quoted by local media. According to his investigation, large sums of money were moved for months, but the wallet was "emptied just when he was already detained." The legislator also detected an alleged relationship between the presidential advisor and the exchange house that was raided last week as part of the judicial investigations. In that operation, security cameras identified that the legal representative fled carrying a bag that allegedly contained around $700,000. The man, identified as Fritz Junior G.A., who is now detained in preventive custody, later claimed that he lost the money he was carrying and defended the legality of his operations. Senator Roca reported that he informed the prosecutor about this transaction information and requested confirmation of the chain of custody of the device and identification of the holders of the final addresses of this network. "None of this is a leak or a closed accusation: it is public information, verifiable right now by anyone," Roca wrote on X. Cerimedo, 45, faces three criminal proceedings in Bolivia. The first for attempted feminicide after his lover accused him of ordering the shooting against her, the second for illicit enrichment due to state corruption allegations involving him, and the third for trafficking controlled substances and covering up drug trafficking, after the Beni Departmental Prosecutor's Office found evidence of authorization for irregular flights. The political consultant became involved with Rodrigo Paz after the first electoral round as a campaign strategist. Subsequently, he began advising the president, although the scope of his functions has not yet been fully clarified: the government maintains that his work was limited to communication, but photographs and public statements suggest that his role transcended that area.