Fernando Cerimedo’s Political Influence Under Scrutiny as Prosecutors Consider Investigation into Bot Network and Cyber Crimes

Original article: Cerimedo vuelve a complicar al entorno de Kast: Fiscalía evaluará abrir investigación por red de bots y delitos informáticos

The shadow of ultra-right political operator Fernando Cerimedo, infamously dubbed the «King of Trolls,» has once again complicated the situation for President José Antonio Kast, following confirmation from the National Prosecutor’s Office that they are evaluating the initiation of a criminal investigation into a suspected network of bots and cyber crimes.

National Prosecutor Ángel Valencia acknowledged the complaint filed by Congressman Juan Santana (PS), which will be sent to the Regional Metropolitan Prosecutor’s Office in Center North to determine if there are sufficient grounds to investigate crimes such as threats, illegal access to computer systems, or potential criminal association.

This legal action marks a new chapter in the controversies surrounding the Argentine advisor, who was arrested in Bolivia on August 18 and currently faces four charges, including attempted femicide against his ex-partner Nadia Beller; money laundering; domestic violence; and alleged cover-ups of flights linked to drug trafficking. This saga has raised alarms about his influence in Chile and the use of artificial accounts and trolls to manipulate algorithms and promote far-right content in public opinion.

Through his company Numen Spa, founded in Chile by lawyer Enrique José García Arancibia, Cerimedo was hired in 2020 by the so-called «Casa Común,» a command for Rejection, where he worked alongside officials from Kast’s administration, including Alejandro Irarrázaval, head of advisors at La Moneda, and Felipe Costabal, head of the Communications Secretariat (Secom).

In this command, he was tasked with campaigning in favor of the Rejection option for both the entry and exit plebiscites back then.

Furthermore, the consultant has been linked to the use of bots to undermine then UDI candidate Evelyn Matthei during her presidential campaign.

Concerns about his influence in Chile have also surfaced regarding his connections to José Antonio Kast, his inner circle, and even his presidential campaign in 2025. His ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller, confirmed the «closeness» between the Argentine far-right figure and the president, indicating that after Kast’s election, he expressed interest in attending the inauguration ceremony.

Santana Calls for Investigation into Account Network to Influence Chile

Currently, no formal criminal case has been opened, and the first step for the regional prosecutor will be a thorough analysis of the evidence. The goal is to determine whether the actions outlined by the congressman indeed constitute illegal activities or if, conversely, the findings should be dismissed or referred to other ongoing investigations.

Prosecutor Valencia clarified the role of his institution, stating that it is their duty to «forward the evidence to a regional prosecutor to decide whether the facts constitute a crime or merit the opening of an investigation.»

Thus, the final decision rests with the prosecutors in the Metropolitan Center North region.

Through this legal action, Congressman Santana aims for the Public Ministry to investigate Cerimedo’s activities in the country in detail and uncover a potential network of social media accounts acting in concert to influence public opinion in our nation and perpetrate attacks against political figures.

The complaint points to accounts on X such as «Neuroc» and the involvement of the company Numen in this network.

As noted by El Mostrador, the main legal hurdle the prosecutor will face is that merely using bots or false accounts does not constitute a crime under Chilean law. Consequently, this submission focuses on specific behaviors with penal relevance, such as threats, information reception, data interception, and the possible existence of a criminal association orchestrating these actions.

Valencia explained that the complaint details a range of crimes, some of a cyber nature, potentially related to «attempts to intercept data or something of that sort.»

One of the elements highlighted in the complaint is the disappearance of the accounts «Neuroc» and «Dress» between August 18 and 20, a timeframe that coincides exactly with Cerimedo’s arrest in Bolivia.

Although the document admits that this coincidence does not prove a direct link, it calls on the Prosecutor’s Office to act swiftly to preserve digital evidence. This request includes the safeguarding of emails, phones, IP addresses, and other devices, amid fears that these records may be deleted from the platform X before justice can access them. This precautionary measure aims to prevent the destruction of key evidence that could clarify the scope of the operation.

The contents of the complaint also include information about coordinated attacks against right-wing political figures, such as former presidential candidate Evelyn Matthei, referencing an analysis conducted by Chile Vamos and reported by Ciper, revealing that approximately 38% of the accounts that attacked Matthei also showed support for the Republican Party founded by Kast.

Additionally, it cites a conversation attributed to the administrator of «Neuroc,» who allegedly indicated that members of a right-wing group maintained frequent discussions with the social media manager of José Antonio Kast’s presidential campaign. If verified, these statements would establish a direct link between anonymous digital operations and the political team of the former presidential candidate.

The judicial landscape becomes even more complicated given that the Public Ministry is already facing another open front. Prosecutor Valencia reminded that the Valparaíso Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an investigation concerning prior complaints related to the attacks against Matthei.

In light of this scenario, Congressman Santana has requested that all cases addressing the various aspects of this web be consolidated for joint investigation to obtain a comprehensive view of the operations and to avoid duplications or contradictions in the inquiries.