A gang of posh thugs accused of beating a man nearly to death outside a nightclub because he looked "fat and poor" are facing attempted murder charges.
Blonde law student Luma Melo Rajao, 20, is said to have urged on the vicious attack after victim Pedro Rodrigues fell foul of the group on a night out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
As he walked past the six privileged high-fliers they mocked his ordinary clothing and his appearance.
Rajao's boyfriend Pedro Vasconcellos do Amaral Sodre de Mello, 26, saw the young man trying to pass through the VIP area and sneered: "I paid BRL 17,000 [GBP 2,270] for this [spot]."
Then he added: "You don't have enough money to even stand next to me."
Luma Melo Rajao poses in undated photo. She was arrested for involvement in an assault in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 22, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@luma.melorajao/Newsflash/NX)
Feisty Rodrigues tried a comeback as he walked from the club and joked: "Your money or your mother’s?"
Infuriated, the middle-class mob followed him into the car park and began a sustained and brutal beating outside the club in Rio's wealthy Lagoa neighbourhood.
Shocking footage of the attack on 23rd May shows the thugs surrounding Rodrigues and taking turns to beat him senseless.
Bruno Krupp poses in undated photo. He was arrested for involvement in an assault in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 23, 2025. Note: Private photo taken from social media.(Newsflash/NX)
Police and prosecutors say he was kicked in the head 22 times after he fell to the ground and could no longer defend himself.
Blonde Rajao, say witnesses, was screaming at her friends urging them to finish him off.
At one point she was said to be yelling: "There's the fat guy! Get him! Aren't you going to do anything? Kill the fat guy!"
After leaving Rodrigues for dead, Rajao went home and made a video making fun of the beating.
Picture shows Pedro Vasconcellos do Amaral Sodre de Mello, 26, undated. He was arrested for involvement in an assault in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 23, 2025. Note: Private photo.(Newsflash/NX)
She said her boyfriend, who has nine prior criminal records for robbery, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and organised crime, was like the "owner of an asylum".
She refers to herself as 'Maria Manicomio', or 'Asylum Mary'.
Rodrigues was beaten so badly he lost consciousness and woke up five days later in a hospital, reports local media.
Picture shows Jacobo Pareja Rodriguez, 26, undated. He is wanted for involvement in an assault in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 23, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
Police chief Daniela Terra told local media that Rajao comes from an ultra wealthy family who live in one of Rio's richest enclaves where homes cost USD 3 million.
But, say police, she revels in her wild life as a gangster girl .
She said: "She is an upper middle class girl, she lives in a luxury condominium in Barra da Tijuca.
Picture shows Felipe de Souza Monteiro, undated. He is wanted for involvement in an assault in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 23, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
"She chose to be a girlfriend of a bandit, even after so many warnings from family, parents and friends."
Rajao, her boyfriend, and four others, all from wealthy families, have been charged with attempted aggravated murder.
Two were arrested and named as 18-year-old Artur Velloso Araujo and model Bruno Krupp who is already facing a murder charge for running over a teenager in 2022.
Picture shows Artur Velloso Araujo, 18, undated. He was arrested for involvement in an assault in Lagoa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 23, 2025. Note: Private photo.(Newsflash/NX)
The two still on the ran have been identified as drug trafficker Felipe de Souza Monteiro and Jacobo Pareja Rodriguez, the son of a drug trafficker.
Chief Terra added: "They all come from wealthy families, with access to education and opportunities that many don't have - yet they choose to commit crimes."
The investigation is ongoing.
(Simona Kitanovska / newsX)