A shocking case in Brazil has emerged where a man deliberately amputated his own foot to stage a violent robbery and secure a substantial insurance payout. Vanderley dos Santos Gomes, an administrative assistant at the Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia in northeastern Brazil, took out four expensive insurance policies between June and July 2019. These policies, deemed unaffordable for his salary, would have entitled him to R$1.5 million (£220,050) if he became permanently disabled.
The Alleged Attack
Three weeks after obtaining all four policies, Gomes qualified as permanently disabled when he was discovered injured in a rural area near the village of Merces, in São Goncalo dos Campos, without his right foot. He claimed he had been kidnapped and robbed by attackers who hacked off his foot with a machete. However, the belongings he reported stolen were later found in a backpack alongside his severed foot.
Investigation and Trial
Gomes was taken to hospital for surgery and medical treatment. On August 15, a few days after the alleged attack, he submitted compensation claims to the insurance companies. The short time frame between purchasing the policies and the incident raised suspicion among investigators. Police suspected fraud despite Gomes losing his foot. His legal team argued for acquittal due to insufficient evidence.
Forensic Evidence
Forensic experts determined that the amputation was too clean and precise to have been caused by a machete. They concluded it was performed with surgical tools, contradicting Gomes' account. Based on forensic reports, insurance records, medical evidence, and witness testimony, Gomes was convicted of fraud and sentenced to two years in prison.
Sentence and Aftermath
The sentence was converted to 720 hours of community service and a fine of R$7,590 (£1,113). Gomes began serving his sentence in May after exhausting all appeals.
