An individual known as an influencer was apprehended on allegations of orchestrating her own abduction to increase her online following. Monniky Fraga, 27, and her spouse Lucas purportedly faced an attack by three armed individuals outside their residence in Igarassu, Brazil, last April. However, nearly a year later, she was arrested in a pre-dawn operation by law enforcement, who stated that her husband was unaware of the scheme despite being assaulted and robbed during the incident.
Initially, Fraga informed her 48,000-plus followers of the harrowing experience, claiming that they were threatened with torture by the gang unless a ransom was paid. She recounted how Lucas was physically assaulted while they surrendered their belongings and that they were taken to a wooded area, held for hours, and released only after handing over money.
Authorities now suspect that the kidnapping was fabricated by Fraga to attract media attention. She managed to secure coverage in various media outlets to recount her supposed ordeal. Detective Cley Anderson revealed to local media that the investigation uncovered evidence indicating that the purported kidnapping-for-ransom was a collaboration between the alleged victim and one of the perpetrators.
A police operation involving thirty officers, named ‘Smokescreen of Likes,’ was executed, leading to the apprehension of three individuals besides Fraga who were implicated in the fake abduction. Detective Anderson disclosed that the investigation suggests Fraga not only had prior knowledge of the plan but also coordinated details in advance and maintained contact with one of the accomplices afterward.
In a peculiar development, Fraga’s husband, Lucas, who was also a victim of the staged incident, reportedly remained unaware of the deception. Detective Anderson clarified that her husband was oblivious to the scheme and genuinely believed he was a victim of a real kidnapping.
Fraga’s legal representatives have requested her release from custody and placement under house arrest, citing her responsibilities as a parent to young children. Despite the accusations, she continues to assert that she was genuinely kidnapped.
She is anticipated to face charges including blackmail, obstructing justice, and wasting law enforcement resources. In an online statement at the time, she expressed her fear during the ordeal, emphasizing her concern for her children and disavowing ownership of the gold chains that were targeted by the perpetrators.
