Brazilian police arrested Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 38, on June 2, accusing her of pretending to be a 12-year-old girl to defraud a couple in the city of Joinville, Santa Catarina state. The scheme lasted nearly 16 months and was uncovered only after an aunt grew suspicious.
According to records, Oliveira introduced herself as “Gabrielle,” 18, when she arrived at a Protestant church in early 2023, and the couple took her in for health and financial reasons. She later changed her story, claiming she was actually 11 but looked older because her father had forced hormones on her and sexually abused her. She convinced the family not to enroll her in school or pursue legal adoption, fearing her father would find her.
During the time she lived with them, Oliveira’s bedroom was decorated with toys and children’s furniture, and the couple covered all living expenses. They even threw her a supposed 12th birthday party.
The fraud was discovered when an aunt visited and found Oliveira’s age inconsistent. Searching online, she found articles about a similar case in Rio de Janeiro three years earlier, where Oliveira had been accused of defrauding another family in the same manner. She showed the couple, who immediately alerted police.
Prosecutor Viviane Soares said the investigation revealed “a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the creation of a false identity and emotional manipulation of victims for illicit gain.” Police chief Rodrigo Bueno Gusso said Oliveira admitted lying to receive financial aid. “Every time she sensed the deception was about to be discovered, she would leave and disappear. This time she was caught before she could,” he said.
Videos and photos provided by other victims show Oliveira using a pacifier, baby bottles, or speaking in a childish voice. The earliest known case linked to her occurred in the late 2000s in Ceará state, when she was in her early 20s and went to a police station claiming to be 12 and a victim of sexual abuse. She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and the case did not go further.
Defense attorney Rafael Luiz Siewert said that after reviewing the file and interviewing Oliveira, he “identified factors requiring a psychiatric evaluation.” The judge granted the request, suspending proceedings until it is determined whether Oliveira is fit to stand trial. Meanwhile, she remains in custody.
