In this instance isn't the money illegally acquired and then laundered by way of app store gift cards purchased with cash?
As you play the game you can unlock some characters. But it's a very slow grind. You can also buy them.
The five most expensive characters cost £19.99, £28.99, £38.99, £48.99, and 5399 sticks of dynamite. You can buy 5,400 sticks of dynamite for £99.99