YouTube Star Executed on Camera for Alleged Money Laundering Ties to Mexican Cartel

YouTuber Agustín Paul, known as ‘El Pinky’, was discovered dead on January 10 in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. His tragic demise, marked by a single gunshot wound to the head, is being investigated as premeditated murder, a classification often associated with executions.

The circumstances surrounding El Pinky’s death are deeply troubling. Just a day prior, flyers were dropped from a plane throughout the city, labeling him as an associate of the rival La Mayiza cartel and insinuating he was involved in money laundering activities on behalf of the Sinaloa Cartel. This ominous development underscores the perilous intertwining of social media fame and cartel violence.

El Pinky was found dead with his hands and feet tied behind his back.

Mystery Surrounds the Motivations Behind His Murder

Authorities are actively investigating the motivations behind El Pinky’s murder. Given his vibrant online presence, the content of his YouTube channel—primarily consisting of viral challenges and comedic skits—could have inadvertently drawn the ire of powerful criminal organizations.

With over 98,000 subscribers on his popular YouTube account, ‘Los Plebes de Barrancos’, El Pinky’s influence may have posed a risk, attracting unwanted attention from the Sinaloa Cartel. His situation echoes the tragedy of another slain YouTuber, Miguel ‘El Jasper’ Vivanco, who was murdered in November 2024. Vivanco’s family alleged that he had been kidnapped by cartel enforcers, leading to a brutal death marked by over 70 bullet wounds.

Both content creators faced horrific torture before their untimely deaths, highlighting an alarming trend of violence targeting digital influencers in Mexico. The continued activity of such criminal groups poses a significant threat to the safety of those in the public eye.

As the investigation evolves, the implications of these events resonate widely, raising critical questions about the intersections of social media, fame, and organized crime in modern Mexico.

Source & Images