Police in Brazil have arrested a 27-year-old influencer after an investigation revealed she had plotted her own kidnapping to gain more social media followers. Monniky Fraga was taken into custody on Tuesday, nearly a year after the alleged incident took place in Igarassu, Brazil.

Investigators found that Monniky Fraga had coordinated the stunt with at least one of the perpetrators in advance and stayed in contact with them afterwards. New York post reported that her husband Lucas, who was physically assaulted and robbed during the episode, had no knowledge of the plot.

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What did the investigation uncover?

As per the report of Hindustan Times, detective Cley Anderson led the investigation. According to The Sun, he said, "As the investigation progressed, it found indications that the alleged kidnap-for-ransom was in fact nothing more than a plot between the supposed victim and one of the perpetrators."

He added: "The investigation suggests she not only knew about it, but agreed things in advance and stayed in contact with one of those involved afterwards."

Hindustan Times further reported that at least three people were involved in the staged kidnapping. One accomplice is already in jail for an unrelated crime. Another is dead. The third, suspected of receiving ransom money, had his property searched by police. Anderson said of Lucas: "At all times, he has maintained that he genuinely believed it was a real kidnapping."

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What had Monniky Fraga claimed?

Hindustan Times stated, in April last year, Monniky Fraga posted a tearful video claiming that three armed men had ambushed her and her husband outside their home. She said they were dragged into a wooded area and held for hours until a portion of the R$100,000 ransom demanded was paid.

She said in the video, "I spent hours in the woods. I didn't know if I'd make it back."

She added, "There was a river there, and the whole time I thought they were going to kill me and throw me in here, and I'd never see anyone again. All I could think about was my children."

She also claimed, "They beat up Lucas. They were after some gold chains I had posted about." Monniky Fraga has denied all charges and is fighting her detention, citing her responsibility toward her young children.