A Miami-area rapper facing serious criminal charges allegedly made investigators’ jobs remarkably easy by broadcasting his alleged fraud operation across social media platforms. The 26-year-old performer, known online as “Yunglazz Drakula,” now sits in Miami-Dade custody after authorities say he spent weeks documenting his identity theft schemes in livestream videos that law enforcement was watching the entire time.
How the Investigation Unfolded
According to arrest documents, Miami police, Miami-Dade County deputies, and FBI agents collaborated on the investigation after Lazaro Lesteiro-Diaz posted multiple videos allegedly showing him explaining his criminal methods in detail. In footage from June 2026, authorities say he can be heard rapping about calling victims using spoofed Bank of America phone numbers to trick them into revealing their account information. A detective included translated lyrics in the official arrest report to document the alleged confessions.
The situation reportedly escalated on July 6, 2026, when Lesteiro-Diaz allegedly displayed a firearm and large amounts of cash during a livestream. Investigators claim he then turned his camera to reveal personal information belonging to actual fraud victims while narrating his alleged criminal process. Additional videos reportedly showed controlled substances and a bathroom sink surrounded by cash alongside multiple debit and credit cards.
What Authorities Discovered at the Westwood Lakes Home
When officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s Westwood Lakes residence on July 24, 2026, they found extensive evidence matching what appeared in the social media videos. The Miami fraud case took an unexpected turn, however, when investigators ventured into the backyard and discovered something nobody anticipated.
Inside the home, police recovered the following items:
- A firearm with extended magazines
- A diamond “Drakula” chain and diamond watch
- Baby bottles containing suspected promethazine cough syrup
- Cash and a call center headset matching those seen in videos
- Multiple credit and debit cards
The Disturbing Backyard Discovery
Behind the residence, officers encountered a scene that transformed this from a standard financial crimes investigation into something far more unusual. Authorities found two decapitated chickens along with a dedicated room containing Santería religious items and ritual objects. Perhaps most disturbingly, investigators discovered a live baby goat confined in a box, its neck marked with orange paint allegedly indicating where it was intended to be killed.
“FBI agents also found video on his phone of him holding two dead chickens that matched the ones found on the property,” according to the arrest documentation filed in Miami-Dade County.
In a rare positive outcome for such cases, police were able to rescue the goat and transport it to an animal rescue organization before any harm could come to it. The discovery led to additional animal cruelty charges being added to the suspect’s growing list of alleged offenses.
Criminal Charges and What Happens Next
Lesteiro-Diaz reportedly acknowledged the items belonged to him during questioning and claimed he purchased the cough syrup to treat an illness before invoking his right to remain silent. He now faces a substantial list of charges that reflect the complexity of this Miami fraud investigation:
- Armed drug possession
- Organized fraud
- Money laundering
- Identity theft
- Animal cruelty
Court records reveal this is not the suspect’s first encounter with the legal system. In 2020, while residing in Hialeah, he faced charges related to online threats, though that case concluded with withheld adjudication.
What This Means for Community Awareness
This case serves as an important reminder for residents across South Florida and the broader Latin community about the persistence of identity theft schemes. Scammers frequently use spoofed phone numbers that appear to come from legitimate financial institutions like Bank of America, attempting to convince victims to share sensitive account information.
The suspect is currently being held on a $30,000 bond in Miami-Dade County. However, before he can be released, he must demonstrate that any bail money comes from legitimate sources rather than alleged criminal proceeds. This requirement reflects the serious nature of the financial crimes he allegedly committed while broadcasting them for anyone, including federal investigators, to see.
For community members concerned about protecting themselves from similar fraud schemes, experts recommend never providing personal banking information to unsolicited callers, even if the phone number appears legitimate. When in doubt, hang up and call your financial institution directly using the number printed on your card or official statements.
