In Brazil, a 38-year-old woman pretended to be a 12-year-old child and lived in a foster family
In Brazil, a 38-year-old woman was detained on suspicion of large-scale fraud: she allegedly pretended to be a 12-year-old girl for a long time and lived with a family that believed she was a child.
The suspect, Amanda Maria Sousa de Oliveira, faces charges of fraud and using a false identity in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil.
According to the investigation, the woman lived with a couple in the city of Joinville for about 16 months. During this time, the family provided her accommodation, set up a children's room with toys, and even organized a "12th birthday" celebration.
The story caused a wide resonance in local media because, according to the investigation, the woman managed to maintain the legend for over a year.
Prosecutor Viviane Soares stated that the investigation revealed a "complex fraud scheme involving the creation of a fictitious identity and emotional manipulation of victims to obtain unlawful benefits."
The police established that the woman met the couple at an evangelical church, introduced herself as "Gabriel" and claimed to be 18 years old. She reported financial and medical difficulties, after which she was taken in, The Guardian reports.
Later, she allegedly changed her story and claimed to be only 11 years old, explaining that her father forced her to take hormones and allegedly subjected her to sexual abuse. She also convinced the family not to enroll her in school or start official adoption procedures, claiming this could help her father find her.
The scheme was uncovered after a relative who periodically visited the family began to suspect the age discrepancy. She found information online about a similar case in Rio de Janeiro several years ago involving the same woman.
The case files also indicate that in other incidents in different regions of Brazil, she may have operated under a similar scheme since the late 2000s.
The suspect's lawyer, Rafael Luis Sivert, said that after communicating with his client, he initiated a psychiatric examination. The court agreed to the request, and the proceedings were temporarily suspended until her ability to participate in the process is established. Currently, the woman is in custody.
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