A British university student collapsed unconscious on Ipanema beach in Rio de Janeiro after being drugged and robbed by three women in what authorities describe as a “Goodnight Cinderella” scam targeting tourists.
The incident occurred in the early hours of August 8, 2025, when the 21-year-old engineering student was holidaying with a British friend to celebrate their graduation. Viral footage shows the victim staggering along the beachfront before collapsing face-first into the sand, while three women were captured on video fleeing the scene in a taxi.
The victim recounted that the women offered him a caipirinha cocktail at a local bar after the group had met at a samba dance. He indicated that after consuming just two sips of the drink, he lost consciousness and remembered little else. His companion, realizing something was wrong, threw his mobile phone into the sand before also losing consciousness, preventing the suspects from accessing his banking applications.
Police identified the suspects as Amanda Couto Deloca, 23, Mayara Ketelyn Americo da Silva, 26, and Raiane Campos de Oliveira, 27. According to investigators, the women are sex workers who specifically target tourists in the city using date rape drugs to incapacitate their victims before robbing them.
Campos de Oliveira has a lengthy criminal history, having been arrested 20 times previously for similar offenses. She served six months of a six-year prison sentence for drugging and robbing another British tourist in 2023, but had her conviction overturned by appeal court judges and was freed from jail last month.
The victim who collapsed on the beach described his attempt to resist the drug’s effects, explaining that he tried to fight the substance but was completely incapacitated by the time he reached the beach. High doses of the depressant GHB are commonly used in such crimes, which can cause convulsions and foaming at the mouth.
A 19-year-old delivery driver played a crucial role in the incident, witnessing the crime and calling emergency services. The Good Samaritan also filmed the scene, which helped police identify and pursue the suspects. When he found the tourist, the victim was unresponsive, drooling, and face-down in the sand with his eyes open.
The financial impact was significant, with approximately £20,000 initially moved from one victim’s investment account to his current account during the robbery. However, only about £2,000 was spent before the funds were frozen, and around £18,000 has since been recovered. Both British tourists also reported having their iPhones stolen during the incident.
Authorities located the taxi driver who transported the women from the scene, but he is not suspected of involvement in the crime. Police believe the women were in contact with another person during the incident and are working to identify additional accomplices.
The case is being investigated by the Special Tourism Support Unit, which has urged visitors to exercise caution when socializing with strangers and to avoid sharing drinks. Police chief Patricia Alemany noted the serious nature of such crimes and expressed desire for stronger laws that would keep these types of criminals incarcerated for longer periods.
Criminal law professor Ronny Nunes outlined the challenges in prosecuting “Goodnight Cinderella” cases, explaining that foreign tourists often file initial police reports but may not be available when needed for court proceedings to identify suspects or confirm statements. This absence makes conviction difficult and can lead to acquittals.
The British victims praised the delivery driver who assisted them, with one stating: “I would like to thank him, whoever he is.” The young man’s quick actions in filming the incident and calling for medical help may have prevented more serious medical consequences, according to police.
Investigators are still awaiting toxicology test results to determine exactly which drug was used to spike the British tourists’ drinks. They have also requested CCTV footage from the area to help identify possible accomplices in the scheme.
This incident represents part of a broader pattern of similar crimes targeting tourists in Rio de Janeiro. Earlier this month, another escort was arrested for luring tourists before drugging and robbing them of £13,000. Last year, two women targeted Chilean holidaymakers using similar methods, ultimately pushing the drugged victims off a 10-foot cliff.
Following their ordeal, both British engineering students indicated they are preparing to return to the United Kingdom. One victim expressed mixed feelings about returning to Brazil in the future, suggesting that for now, he has had enough of the country.
Sources:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14989217/Shocking-moment-British-tourist-collapses-Rio-Janeiro-beach-DRUGGED-women-gave-laced-cocktail-stole-16-000-bank-accounts.html
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/36239822/tourist-drugged-brazil-stolen/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/brit-tourist-victims-rio-womens-35714841
https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/man-drugged-by-3-women-collapses-on-beach-loses-rs-18-lakh-in-good-night-cinderella-scam-101754992545220.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14992719/Brits-drugged-robbed-women-Rio-Janeiro-moment-tried-fight-drugs-collapsing-beach.html
