‘Goodnight Cinderella' gang charged after Brit tourists drugged and robbed on beach as cops hunt female trio

Scottish Sun

21 hours ago

One of the victims initially claimed some £16,000 had been stolen from his bank account
GLAM SCAM 'Goodnight Cinderella' gang charged after Brit tourists drugged and robbed on beach as cops hunt female trio
THREE women who allegedly spiked and robbed two Brit men in a horrifying "Goodnight Cindarella" scam have been charged by cops.
One of the victims said they took two sips of a drugged drink that one of the women bought them before collapsing on a beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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A Brit tourist fell unconscious after being drugged by local women
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Mayara Ketelyn Americo da Silva, 26, is accused of scamming the Brit
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Fellow suspect Raiane Campos de Oliveira, 27, has been arrested 20 times for similar offences
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Charges have also been filed against Amanda Couto Deloca, 23
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Local police are now hunting Amanda Couto Deloca, 23, Mayara Ketelyn Americo da Silva, 26, and Raiane Campos de Oliveira, 27, who all face criminal charges.
It comes after an urgent travel warning was issued to Brits regarding the 'Goodnight Cinderella' scam, followings soaring reports of tourists being targeted.
Terrifying footage showed one Brit holidaymaker falling unconscious on the iconic Ipanema beach after falling victim to the increasingly common ruse.
The suspects were identified after a local teenage delivery man filmed the ordeal and called an ambulance.
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The victim previously thanked the driver when speaking to local media, saying: "He filmed, called an ambulance, and helped the police track down the suspects - thank you to him, whoever he is."
Police say the trio are part of a 'Goodnight Cinderella' gang that has targeted tourists from Britain, France, the USA, and Argentina in nightlife districts.
The gang's method involves approaching tourists in bars, offering drinks laced with drugs, and robbing them once they lose consciousness - sometimes within just 30 minutes.
Criminals posing as friendly locals often use Rohypnol, GHB - or any date rape drug - to drug tourists and rob them.
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Recalling the terrifying scam, the 21-year-old Brit engineering student said: "I took two sips [of the cocktail] and I don't remember anything else."
He added: "I tried to fight the drug. By the time I got to the beach I was completely out of it."
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Following his horror experience, the first-time visitor to Brazil said: 'Maybe I'll come back one day but for now I think it's enough of this country.'
The victim spoke to local media alongside a pal, also from the UK. who was another target of the ploy.
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The fellow student said that before losing consciousness he threw his phone into the sand.
He told Brazilian outlet G1: 'I must have realised what was going on and threw my phone.'
The pair said they had spent "a beautiful 10 days" in the South American country before the ordeal.
They had reportedly travelled there to celebrate a graduation.
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The alleged crime occurred during a midweek night out last week when the two pals were approached by the female thieves at a bar in the Rio neighbourhood of Lapa.
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Two Brit men who fell victim to the scam told local media about their experience
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Footage showed the three women escape in a taxi
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The two men had been enjoying their holiday in Brazil
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The Brits met the three women at a Samba dance.
After heading to a local bar to carry on the evening, one of the victims said he was handed a Caipirinha cocktail before losing consciousness.
When he woke up in hospital, he said £16,000 had been stolen from his account.
But the women actually only managed to spend £2,000 before the accounts were frozen, police said.
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Horrifying footage showed one of the tourists staggering along the beachfront before collapsing into the sand.
The women are then seen running along the street and jumping into a taxi before quickly leaving the area.
The local delivery driver who filmed the shocking footage said: "I called the emergency services and they confirmed police and an ambulance were on their way.
Campos de Oliveira, has been previously jailed for six months for the same type of offence, and has also been arrested 20 times before.
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Officers also identified the taxi driver who drove the women away, though he is not believed to have been involved.
Advice by the FCDO
The FCDO currently "advises against all but essential travel to parts of Brazil".
Under the subcategory 'scams', the Foreign Office writes:
"Dating apps have been used by criminals to target foreign nationals in Brazil, leading to spiking of drinks, robbery and theft from bank accounts. Exercise caution when engaging with such apps, buy and keep hold of your own drinks, share your plans with friends or family, and be vigilant of your belongings including your mobile phone."
Under the subcategory 'sexual assault and drink spiking', the advice reads:
"Rape and other sexual offences against tourists are not common, but there have been attacks against both women and men. Some have involved date rape drugs. Buy your own drinks and keep them in sight. If you begin to feel strange, sick or drunk after only a couple of drinks, tell a trusted friend or security staff. They should take you to a safe place, such as your hotel room or a hospital. You can phone the local police, a hospital or the nearest British embassy or consulate for advice."