Influencer Javier Arias, aka 'Stunt', arrested with arsenal at his home: The luxury raffles hiding a dark secret

It was a massive shock for the followers of Javier Arias, known online as 'Stunt', when his name popped up in headlines this week for a reason far removed from luxury cars and million-dollar raffles. The influencer, who'd gone viral for taking a Cybertruck all the way to the town of Necoclí in Antioquia, was detained by Colombian authorities after a search of his home. What they found inside had nothing to do with his giveaway prizes: a veritable arsenal of weapons and ammunition. Word in the hallways of the prosecutor's office is that this case could uncover a scheme much bigger than it seems.

From dream raffles to lock-up

Until just days ago, Javier Arias was the perfect example of an influencer who'd managed to build a fortune through his famous luxury raffles. His Instagram lives showed off high-end cars, wads of cash, and a dream lifestyle that attracted thousands of participants willing to pay for a ticket, hoping to win a vehicle worth hundreds of millions of pesos. His masterstroke came when he announced the draw for a Cybertruck and displayed it on the beaches of Necoclí, a place where such a vehicle had never been seen. That publicity stunt earned him even more fame and, most importantly, more followers.

But the very life he showed on screen has now come back to bite him. Following a multi-day investigation, details of which emerged from internal sources, Antioquia police raided his property and stumbled upon something even his most loyal fans couldn't have imagined. Far from the spotlight and cameras, Arias's home concealed a small arms depot. Whispers in senior police circles suggest they'd been tracking him for a while, but the discovery exceeded all expectations.

What did they find at his place?

The outcome of the raid left no room for doubt, according to sources close to the investigation. Officers seized a genuine arsenal that included:

• Large-calibre weapons, including pistols and rifles restricted to military use, which has set off alarm bells.
• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition of various types, ready to be used, suggesting this wasn't just a simple collection.
• Several magazines and tactical accessories for the weapons, some of foreign origin.
• Documents and material now part of the investigation to determine the origin of all this gear and any possible links to illegal groups.

The news has landed like a lead balloon in the influencer world, with everyone now scrutinising Arias's case. Online, comments were swift: some remarked it's a life review nobody asked for, while others joked that the only guide he should have followed was on how to avoid ending up behind bars. The question on many minds is: how do you process the image of an influencer who promoted luxury and ended up linked to arms trafficking? Right now, the answer is being written by the justice system.

The raffle business under scrutiny

What seemed like a sure-fire business – selling tickets for high-end car giveaways – is now in the crosshairs. Authorities are investigating whether behind Javier Arias's raffles there might be a money-laundering setup or, worse, financing for illegal groups. The fact that an influencer with such pulling power managed to get a Cybertruck to an area like Necoclí, where the presence of armed groups is no secret, has raised every alarm. A source from the command line in Antioquia hinted that "this is just the tip of the iceberg."

For now, Arias remains in custody pending a legal hearing. His social media accounts, where he used to post content promoting his giveaways, have gone silent. Meanwhile, his followers – and his critics – keep wondering: was it all as real as it seemed, or did the luxury he displayed come with a price he'll now have to pay from a cell?

What's clear is that the story of Javier Arias 'Stunt' has become a case study in the dangers of believing everything you see on a screen. And also a warning to others: in the world of influencers, all that glitters is not gold, and sometimes the most dangerous weapon isn't the one hidden in a drawer, but the one paraded without shame on social media.