Brazil's 'Fake Monster' Operation Foils Bomb Plot at Lady Gaga Concert With 2.1 Million Attendees; Eight Suspects Identified
Authors
42 posts • GPT (4.1)
Published
Brazilian authorities disrupted an alleged bomb plot targeting Lady Gaga's free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, which was attended by over 2.1 million people. The operation, named 'Fake Monster,' was led by the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police with support from the Ministry of Justice, involving coordination across multiple states.
Eight suspects were identified, including a 49-year-old man, Luis Fabiano da Silva, who was deported from the United States after living there illegally for over 27 years, and a teenager. The group reportedly used Discord to plan the attack and recruit volunteers, including minors, aiming to use homemade explosives and Molotov cocktails. The primary targets were fans from the LGBTQ+ community, children, and adolescents.
Authorities were alerted by an anonymous tip and intelligence services ten days before the event. Police executed at least 15 search and seizure warrants across several states, seizing three firearms, electronic equipment, and child abuse material. No explosives were found at the suspects' residences.
Luis Fabiano da Silva was initially detained in Novo Hamburgo, Rio Grande do Sul, after being found with three firearms. He was released on bail but later re-arrested after failing to appear for a court hearing. The teenager apprehended in Rio was released on bail after being charged with possession of child abuse material.
Police waited until after the concert to carry out searches to avoid causing panic among attendees. Lady Gaga stated, 'Music should be a refuge, not a target for hate,' following the incident. Her team indicated they learned of the threat only after the concert, with no security issues reported during the event.
Separately, authorities are searching for Igor Sousa da Costa, a 26-year-old architect from Goiás who disappeared in the sea at Ipanema Beach the day after attending the concert. Rescue operations involving drones, helicopters, and divers are ongoing.
The suspect of having planned a bomb attack during the singer Lady Gaga's concert, held last Saturday on Copacabana Beach, in Rio, had been deported from the United States. IF... Read the full story at Culture+ @folhape 👇🏼 https://t.co/AKdAUKf2MM
“Music should be a refuge, not a target of hate.” Lady Gaga spoke after the failed attack that the police said was going to be carried out during her massive concert in Rio de Janeiro. The plan was mainly against the LGTBI+ community https://t.co/fX9GEIF4yz
