Brazilian authorities say they have foiled a bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga’s free concert at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, where over two million fans gathered for the event.
According to the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro state, working alongside the justice ministry, suspects had recruited individuals to carry out attacks using improvised explosive devices in a bid to gain notoriety on social media.
Police arrested the alleged mastermind of the plot in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul for illegal firearm possession, and a teenager in Rio de Janeiro was detained for possessing child pornography, BBC reports.
Investigators say the group behind the plot had been disseminating hate speech targeting children, adolescents, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Authorities also uncovered efforts to radicalise teenagers through online communities that promoted violent and self-harming content as a form of belonging and challenge among youths.
The justice ministry noted that the suspects identified themselves as fans of Lady Gaga, referring to themselves as “Little Monsters”—a name commonly used by the artist’s global fanbase.
Dubbed “Operation Fake Monster,” the investigation was triggered by a tip-off from Rio state police intelligence. It revealed the existence of online groups using coded language and extremist symbols to incite youth violence. Search warrants were executed across the states of Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, and São Paulo, with authorities seizing electronic devices and other materials.
The concert formed part of a city-led initiative to boost Rio’s economy, with officials projecting a $100 million windfall. In anticipation of the massive turnout, a high-level security operation involving 5,000 officers was deployed. Metal detectors, drones, and facial recognition cameras were used to secure the area.
Lady Gaga, returning to Brazil for the first time since 2012, performed as part of her “Mayhem” album tour, donning costumes inspired by Brazil’s national football team in tribute to her host country.