Tourists cross the border to shop in Paraguay, are kidnapped, and suffer losses of nearly R$ 740,000

Armed gang lures victims into a trap and commits extortion in Ciudad del Este. Two Brazilians and a foreigner were kidnapped after crossing the border between Brazil and Paraguay, in Ciudad del Este. According to the victims, who were not identified for security reasons, they were held captive for about 19 hours and forced, under threats and assaults, to take out loans and make bank transfers. The estimated loss is nearly R$ 740,000. ✅ Follow g1 Foz do Iguaçu on WhatsApp The victims filed a police report in Brazil, and one of them also filed a report in Paraguay. According to the accounts, the criminals also stole cell phones, watches, documents, money, and other belongings. Ciudad del Este, in Paraguay, has been attracting many Brazilians who dream of studying medicine RPC Reproduction One of the tourists, a resident of Bahia, said he was staying at a hotel in Foz do Iguaçu and crossed the Friendship Bridge to buy a suitcase in Paraguay. After hiring a motorcycle taxi to go to stores in Ciudad del Este, he noticed that the driver changed the route and headed toward a wooded area, where he was ambushed by an armed group. "He started turning into streets to the right, making several turns. That's when I thought: 'This is not right.' When the motorcycle stopped, about eight or ten people came out of the woods. They dragged me, took my belongings, and led me to a more secluded part where a hideout was operating." Another Brazilian reported going through the same situation. According to him, the motorcyclist also detoured and took him to an isolated location, where he was surrounded by about ten men. "When I noticed we were taking another route, the motorcycle was already going at high speed. After a few minutes, I was surrounded, dragged along a riverbank, and taken to a hideout." Read also: Femicide: After claiming his wife committed suicide, reserve military officer arrested on suspicion of femicide Scam: Fake lawyer asks for money to release elderly person's 'compensation' and victim loses R$ 750,000 Investigation: 'Everyone who opposed him was threatened,' says prosecutor about doctor who set up an 'apartment' in hospital Captivity and threats According to the victims, they spent about 19 hours under the surveillance of the criminals. At the location, one of the Brazilians found the other victim and, shortly after, a third man, a foreigner, was also brought to the hideout. According to the accounts, the kidnappers forced the three to unlock their cell phones and use facial recognition and biometrics to access bank accounts. The criminals took out loans, made Pix transfers, and carried out other financial transactions. "Under constant death threats, I was forced to unlock my phone, provide passwords, perform facial recognition, use my fingerprint, and even record videos providing access data," one of the victims said. The tourists stated they were physically assaulted and subjected to psychological torture throughout the entire period they were held captive. One of them stated he believed multiple times that he would be killed. The foreign tourist spoke with RPC, TV Globo's affiliate in Paraná, via email and reported that his cell phone and SIM card were stolen, he is out of money, and he faces difficulties communicating in a foreign country. Therefore, he preferred not to record an interview. Released on the riverbanks According to the victims' accounts, their release also took place under tension. The criminals put the three victims in a boat and crossed the Paraná River to the Brazilian side. One of the tourists recounted that, during the crossing, he thought he would be executed. "They went down the river for a few minutes. I thought: 'Now they are going to kill us and throw us in the river.' Then they left us on a riverbank and told us to keep going. We found someone who helped us." Investigation RPC contacted the Civil Police of Paraná (PCPR) to find out how the investigation is progressing and how cooperation with the Paraguayan authorities is taking place. In a note, the National Police of Paraguay informed that they have already arrested members of the gang responsible for this type of crime, but that the group continues to operate because it consists of many criminals. VIDEOS: Most watched from g1 Paraná Read more news in g1 West and Southwest.