A Miami-Dade man who posted rap videos boasting about online bank scams is now behind bars, facing multiple felony charges after authorities say his own livestreams helped build the case against him.
Lazaro Lesteiro-Diaz, 26, known online as “Drakula” and “YungLazz,” was taken into custody Thursday afternoon at his home in southwest Miami-Dade. He now faces five felony counts, including money laundering, organized fraud, identity theft, drug possession, and animal cruelty.
Investigators say the case started in mid-June, after officers came across a video of Lesteiro-Diaz rapping in Spanish about spoofing bank calls and hijacking victims’ accounts while flashing cash and wearing a call-center headset. Weeks later, agents watched him go live again, this time allegedly showing off a modified handgun, stacks of money, a laptop displaying strangers’ personal information, and what investigators believe was a bottle of a controlled cough syrup. A third video reportedly showed him surrounded by stolen debit and credit cards.
A search warrant executed at his home turned up a loaded handgun, extra ammunition, cash, fake IDs, jewelry, and a prescription bottle with the doctor’s name scratched off. Officers also say they found two baby bottles filled with suspected drug residue and a small amount of marijuana.
The search took an unexpected turn in the backyard, where officers discovered two decapitated chickens, along with footage allegedly showing Lesteiro-Diaz holding the birds. Nearby, in a room filled with religious items, investigators found a live baby goat inside a box, its neck marked with orange paint — reportedly signaling it was set to be slaughtered next. The animal was rescued and handed over to a local agricultural program for care.
After waiving his rights, Lesteiro-Diaz reportedly admitted to owning the firearm and buying the drugs online before invoking his right to stay silent.
He appeared in court, where a judge set his bond at $30,000 and ordered him to prove the funds are legitimate before he can be released.
