A 26-year-old Cuban residing in Miami-Dade was taken into custody on Friday after broadcasting a series of live videos where he openly rapped about his methods for conducting bank fraud.
Lázaro Lesteiro-Díaz, artistically known as “Yunglazz Drakula”, was apprehended following a joint investigation by the Miami Police Department, the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, and the FBI, who traced his online activity and raided his home. The search uncovered drugs, a firearm, and animals associated with Santeria rituals.
What sets this case apart is a peculiar detail in the police arrest report: Lesteiro-Díaz's occupation is officially listed as “rapper-scammer.”
Live Streaming His Crimes
According to a Local 10 report, the sequence of events began on June 17. The young man streamed live while holding a laptop with cash on top and an earpiece with a microphone—standard gear for fraudulent call centers—while rapping in Spanish: “Te llamé desde un número de Bank of America. Ima boof a plot.”
A detective from the Miami Police Department explained in the arrest report the meaning behind those lyrics: “I’m going to take your money... I’ll access your bank account, and you’ll give me your code, all over the phone, and I won’t even touch you.”
On July 6, he again went live, this time displaying a firearm, large sums of cash, and a laptop. He then turned the camera to show personal information of multiple victims while detailing his organized fraud schemes and bank number spoofing.
Disturbing Discoveries
Earlier this week, he posted another video from a bathroom, showcasing debit, credit, and gift cards while hiding a firearm with an extended magazine and holding a wad of cash on the sink.
Following a judge’s approval of a search warrant, authorities raided his residence on Southwest 43rd Lane in the Westwood Lakes area. Inside, they discovered a firearm, magazines, a diamond-encrusted chain with “Drakula” inscribed, a diamond watch, bottles containing suspected “purple drank” (promethazine with codeine syrup used illegally as a drug), cash, and a call center headset.
The most unsettling find was at the back of the property: two decapitated chickens and a room described as “filled with Cuban Santeria and voodoo-related items.”
Alongside the Santeria materials, authorities found a live goat inside a box, its neck painted orange, indicating the intended place of sacrifice. The police contacted a rescue organization to take care of the animal.
FBI agents also found a video showing Lesteiro-Díaz holding the two dead chickens by their legs, consistent with the animals discovered at his home.
Facing Serious Charges
During questioning, the accused admitted ownership of all the items, claimed he bought the promethazine syrup to “cure his illness,” and acknowledged he had “previously attempted to commit fraud.” He then invoked his right to remain silent.
The charges against him include possession of drugs while armed, organized fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and animal cruelty with intent to harm or kill.
This is not Lesteiro-Díaz’s first run-in with the law. In January 2020, at age 19 while living in Hialeah, he was arrested for making death threats on X against Nicaraguans, Colombians, African Americans, and homosexuals.
He wrote on that social media platform: “My brain resembles that of a psychopathic serial killer. I feel no pity or emotion in hurting someone... humans are like mosquitoes to me.” That year, he received a suspended adjudication of guilt, and his probation was terminated in 2022.
In his latest case, Lesteiro-Díaz is held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $30,000 bond. However, before he can post bail, he must prove the funds come from a legitimate source.
Details of the Miami Fraud and Animal Cruelty Case
What led to the arrest of Lázaro Lesteiro-Díaz?
Lesteiro-Díaz was arrested after incriminating himself through live-streamed videos where he rapped about committing bank fraud. His online activities were traced by the Miami Police, Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, and the FBI, leading to a raid on his home.
What were some of the items found during the raid?
Authorities discovered a firearm, cash, a diamond-encrusted chain, a diamond watch, promethazine syrup, a call center headset, and disturbing evidence of animal cruelty linked to Santeria rituals.
What charges is Lesteiro-Díaz facing?
He is facing charges including possession of drugs while armed, organized fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and animal cruelty with intent to harm or kill.