A woman nicknamed 'Criminal Barbie' has been arrested in Brazil alongside three male accomplices for allegedly orchestrating an elaborate burglary plot from a rented luxury apartment.
The 'Criminal Barbie' Scheme
Paola Co Carita Gobel, 32, who also goes by the alias 'Catwoman', was detained this week after neighbours became suspicious of the group's activities at a high-end residential complex in Belo Horizonte. The group is accused of renting a flat within the block on November 14 specifically to use it as a base for stealing from their wealthy neighbours.
According to police, the suspects raised alarms by moving in with only a few mattresses and suitcases. They were later seen filming neighbouring properties while covering their faces, prompting a tip-off to the authorities.
Police Investigation and Raid
An investigation led by Police Chief Marcel Willian Oliveira de Souza from Brazil's Special Department of Criminal Investigations (DEIC) uncovered critical flaws in the rental agreement. It was signed in the name of a civil servant who had previously reported being a victim of identity theft.
Chief Oliveira de Souza stated that these "inconsistencies," combined with the eyewitness accounts, confirmed their suspicions that the property was being used for criminal purposes. He added that detectives believe cloned credit cards were likely used to make the rental payments.
On November 19, police conducted a raid on the flat. Inside, they discovered drugs, the fraudulent rental agreement, and a stolen car in the garage. During the operation, one of the suspects broke a mobile phone in an attempt to prevent it from being seized by officers.
A Notorious Criminal Past
This is not Gobel's first encounter with the law. She was previously arrested for similar offences in October 2023, for which she received community service and a fine. Police Chief Oliveira de Souza highlighted her criminal history, noting her involvement in a prior burglary where approximately one million reais (£140,000) was stolen.
The group now faces charges including criminal conspiracy, falsifying vehicle registration numbers, handling stolen goods, trespassing, and using a false identity. Civil Police are awaiting forensic analysis of the suspects' phones and are working to determine if others were involved in the scheme.
