A shocking new case involving streamer and singer D4vd has drawn attention online after a Google employee was arrested on charges of using confidential company data to make money from online bets.
Federal prosecutors say the employee used private Google search information to bet on prediction site Polymarket. The bets were related to D4vd becoming one of the most searched people on Google in 2025. Authorities claim the man made about $1.2 million from bets after risking less than $1,000.The employee was identified as Michele Spagnuolo, an Italian national who works as a software engineer at Google. According to court documents, Spagnuolo allegedly had access to Google’s internal information “A year of research” Data before it becomes public. Prosecutors say he saw that D4vd had surpassed rapper Kendrick Lamar as the most searched person on Google in 2025. Shortly after, he allegedly placed several bets using a Polymarket account called “Alpha raccoon.”
Google engineer accused of using confidential search data in bets related to D4vd
Officials say the betting market gave D4vd almost no chance of becoming the number one searched person on Google that year. For this reason, the bets had huge payout odds. Prosecutors believe Spagnuolo used private information from his job to unfairly win bets before anyone else knew the results of the search. Authorities also allege that he later tried to hide the source of the money.
Spagnuolo was arrested in New York and charged with money laundering, wire fraud and commodity fraud.
He appeared before a federal judge but did not enter a plea during the hearing. Reports say he was later released on $2.25 million bail while the case continues.D4vd itself has not been accused of participating in the betting scheme. However, his name became a major part of the investigation because the stakes were centered on his popularity in Google searches. The streamer and singer is currently in prison after being accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in April 2025. D4vd has pleaded not guilty to the charge.The case quickly became one of the most talked-about stories online because it combined technology companies, online betting and Internet fame into one investigation. More updates are expected as the legal case progresses.
