Ex-Brazilian model and fitness influencer Kat Torres has been sentenced to eight years for human trafficking and enslavement, after an FBI probe that exposed her exploitation of vulnerable women.
The investigation started in 2022 after it was discovered that two women who lived with Torres were missing. She has now been sentenced to 8-year jail for trafficking and enslaving one of the women.
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Known for her glamorous image and ties with Hollywood celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, Torres used her social media fame to deceive women with promises of spiritual and personal growth, only to trap them in abusive situations.
In an interview with the BBC, the women stated that they were drawn to her narrative of transformation from an impoverished Brazilian area to a wealthy society surrounded by Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Ana described her response when she came across Torres’ Instagram profile in 2017 and told BBC Eye Investigations and BBC News Brazil, “She kind of resembled hope for me.” Ana claimed that she was especially impressed by Torres’ outlook on spirituality.
Recently, Torres released her autobiography, A Voz (The Voice), wherein she alleged to have supernatural abilities that allowed her to make predictions.
Ana found everything believable because Torres appeared on magazine covers and was spotted with celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio.
Torres eventually created a wellness website. Videos on self-help topics included hypnosis, meditation, fitness regimens and guidance on relationships, health and economic success.
Clients could have private one-on-one video sessions with Torres for an additional $150, during which she claimed to be able to address any problem clients had.
Torres’ arrest followed social media campaigns by concerned friends and family searching for the missing Desirê and Letícia, which led to the FBI uncovering her operation and rescuing several women.
Torres denied the coercion charges, claiming her actions were misinterpreted, but more than twenty women have come forward with similar abuse stories and are now receiving psychiatric care.
