TWO “Goodnight Cinderella” scammers have been arrested as police hunt for the third in a trio targeting vulnerable tourists.
Police arrested a second woman, Mayara Ketelyn Americo da Silva, 26, in relation to the drugging and mugging of two British holidaymakers.
NewsflashMayara Ketelyn Americo da Silva (centre) is one of three suspects in the ‘Goodnight Cinderella’ cons[/caption]
NewsflashThe 26-year-old was arrested on Friday[/caption]
NewsflashAmerico da Silva is one of three women who are suspects related the drugging Mihailo and Diego (victims pictured)[/caption]
The “Goodnight Cinderella” scams have seen countless unsuspecting tourists targeted by the glamorous thieves, waiting for the right moments to target their prey.
Tourists Mihailo Patrovic and Diego Gravo fell victim to the Goodnight Cinderella scam
Video footage has revealed the impact of these attacks, showing two tourists from the UK “staggering and collapsing” face down on Ipanema Beach in Rio De Janeiro.
The two men from the UK – identified as Mihailo Patrovic and Diego Gravo – were travelling in Brazil to celebrate their recent graduation as engineering grads when they were targeted.
The video – taken by a passer-by – shows three suspects immediately fleeing the scene in a taxi after one of the men fell unconscious.
Police have revealed the thieves attempted to transfer £16,000 out of Mihailo’s bank account, but were stumped when faced with facial recognition.
They did however, successfully steal £3100 and £1800 over four transactions.
They later purchased £300 in cryptocurrency.
On Friday, cops busted Americo da Silva in a motel in Bonsucesso.
They tracked her down through an anonymous tip.
Police said the suspect had coloured her hair and undergone cosmetic surgery, attempting to avoid detection.
Her arrest comes weeks after the first suspect, 23-year-old Amanda Couto Deloca, was arrested in Duque de Caxias on August 18.
The search is still going for the third suspect – Raiane Campos de Oliveira, 27, who remains on the run.
The arrests come after an urgent travel warning was issued to Brits regarding the scam, following a surge of tourists being targeted.
A spokesperson from the Rio Public Prosecutor’s Office said the women invited the Brits to continue partying with them on the Ipanema beachfront.
When they arrived, they offered them Caipirinhas (sugar cane cocktails) that had been laced with drugs.
Patricia Alemany, Head of Tourism Support Unit, said: “These girls often target tourists because they’re more vulnerable”.
“They share the tasks – one seduces, another usually steals and another slips drugs into drinks,” she said.
“You need to be careful when meeting people you don’t know, be careful with your alcohol and don’t take strangers to your apartments.”
Prosecutors have charged the trio with qualified robbery, theft through electronic fraud and criminal association.
They have also requested each victim be compensated £4600 in damages.
The arrests were authorised by a judge at Rio’s 19th Criminal Court, citing the danger posed by the gang and the risk of reoffending.
NewsflashAmerico da Silva is one of three women who are suspects related the drugging Mihailo and Diego[/caption]
NewsflashA warning was issued to Brits travelling in Brazil to beware of the scam and not to trust strangers[/caption]