A popular gamer who was arrested for the rape of two minors may have sexually abused up to seven more children, including some victims in the United States, according to cops.
Raulino de Oliveira Maciel, known by his pseudonym of Raulzito, was arrested for two counts of statutory rape in the Brazilian city of Florianopolis on Tuesday, 27th July.
The alleged rapes took place in the city of Niteroi. However, according to the police, there are three more investigations into the gamer involving seven children throughout the country.
The alleged crimes are believed to have taken place in the states of Sao Paulo, Paraiba and Santa Catarina, in Brazil’s South East, North East and South regions, respectively.
The two victims in the crimes that led to the suspect’s arrest are brothers aged 10 and 11 years old. If found guilty of statutory rape, Raulzito could face from eight to 15 years in prison.
According to the mother of one victim in another of the cases being investigated, Raulzito’s wife often told her and other mothers not to leave their children alone with him.
She told the police she did not initially suspect anything untoward because the gamer “appeared normal” at the time, despite the fact that he had a pink beard and blue hair when arrested.
However, the mother in question now believes his wife probably knew about his crimes. It is not clear if she is being investigated.
According to the police investigation, the suspect had a well-planned modus operandi, which involved contacting the victims’ parents to gain their trust.
He would then proceed to abuse the victims either in his studio in the city of Sao Paulo or in their parents’ homes.
The police believe he lured the children by offering to help them to become pro gamers. He presented himself as a mentor offering advice to young people who wanted to become gamers.
Cops are also investigating whether he committed abuses in the United States, where he once resided.
The police said: “There are reports of victims in every place where he has taken up residence. We have partnered with the US police and are investigating.”
Some of Raulzito’s crimes are believed to date back at least 15 years. Technical support assistant Lucas Martinelli Caetano said: “I’m 28 now. The abuse happened when I was about 12. He must have been about 20. He used to come here to play video games. It took him a year to make a move. He then started and got to the act itself. I never told anyone anything. Today I can talk about it, after a lot of therapy.”
Raulzito boasted hundreds of thousands of followers on social media at the time of his arrest. He was known for his distinctive pink beard and blue hair, which he dyed to commemorate his 50,000th and 100,000th subscribers respectively.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has called on the judiciary to continue the suspect’s preventive detention.
