A 38-year-old woman in Brazil has been arrested on suspicion of pretending to be a 12-year-old girl to deceive a couple who took her into their home for over a year. Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira faces charges of fraud and false identity offences in the southern state of Santa Catarina.
During the nearly 16 months she lived with the couple in Joinville, Oliveira allegedly had all expenses paid, a bedroom decorated with toys, and a party for her purported 12th birthday. The case has sparked widespread disbelief in local media that she managed to sustain the deception for so long.
Prosecutor Viviane Soares described the scheme as 'elaborate fraud involving the creation of a fictitious identity and emotional manipulation of victims to obtain undue advantages.' Oliveira reportedly first approached the couple at an evangelical church, introducing herself as 'Gabrielle' and claiming to be 18, later changing her story to being 11 and a victim of abuse.
The deception unraveled when an aunt became suspicious and found online reports of a similar case in Rio de Janeiro involving Oliveira. Videos and photos from other alleged victims show her using dummies and baby bottles while speaking childishly. The earliest known case dates to the late 2000s in Ceará, where she claimed to be 12 and a victim of sexual abuse.
Oliveira's lawyer, Rafael Luiz Siewert, has requested a psychiatric evaluation, which a judge granted, suspending proceedings until her fitness to stand trial is determined. She remains in prison.
