Brazil: Police foil attempted bomb attack at Lady Gaga concert in “Operation Fake Monster”

Intelligence Update:

• Police officers in Brazil announced that they successfully thwarted a bomb attack that would have disrupted the Lady Gaga musical concert at the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on 03 May 2025. The group was discovered by Civil Police Intelligence Sub-Secretariat (Ssinte), who launched an investigation in collaboration with other security agencies in an operation known as “Operation Fake Monster”. The operation resulted in multiple raid operations in Rio, Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso and Rio Grande do Sul states.

  
  

• The police say the attack was aimed at targeting LGBTQ+ people in the crowd. They also mentioned that one of the group’s goals was to “gain prominence on social media.”

  
  

• Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. The suspects are said to be part of an online hate group and were planning to recruit mostly teenagers to carry out the attack using locally made explosives and Molotov cocktails.

  
  

• The alleged leader of the group was detained for possession of firearms in Rio Grande do Sul, while the second suspect, a teenager linked to the attack, was arrested for possession of child pornography in Rio. Another suspect, who had planned to kill a child during the live broadcast, was arrested in Macaé in Rio and charged with terrorism and inciting crime.

Assessment:

• The incident highlights an ongoing threat of violence against LGBTQ+ communities in Brazil, particularly during major events that celebrate inclusion.

  
  

• Copacabana beach is symbolic for both social and political gatherings. Politicians have held rallies there, and other musicians have also hosted similar concerts. In May 2024, American singer Madonna held a free concert that attracted around 1.6 million people.

  
  

• Lady Gaga, an American singer, is a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She has expressed her support in various ways. During a rally at World Pride NYC in 2019, she said that she would “take a bullet” for the LGBTQ+ community. Based on this, it is almost certain that the group was aware the concert would attract many LGBTQ+ attendees. Over 2.1 million people attended the concert, which was free, and it was Gaga’s first show in Brazil since the last one in 2012.

  
  

• The suspects disguised themselves as “Little Monsters” on social media. This name is mostly used by fans of Gaga, and using it likely helped them avoid detection online. The suspect’s plan to target the LGBTQ+ community likely reflects reflects a rise the far-right extremism in the country.

  
  

• Brazil has in recent times recorded bomb attacks which local officials have linked to far-right attacks and hate speech. In November 2024, a man reportedly linked to ex-President Bolsonaro's far-right party killed himself with a bomb after trying to enter the Supreme Court building. Police began investigating the case as an act of terrorism. 

• As far-right ideologies gain traction, there is a growing risk of coordinated attacks on public events that advocate for diversity. The police's proactive intelligence in foiling the attack before the concert demonstrates the importance of vigilance among security forces.

Forecast:

• In the coming months, local authorities may increase scrutiny of far-right movements and their networks, leading to more investigations and potential arrests.

  
  

• The police actions could lead to more investigations into online hate groups that promote violence against marginalised communities.

  
  

• Additionally, authorities are likely to collaborate with some tech companies to identify and disrupt online hate speech and active recruitment campaigns.