Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Brazilian Woman Accused of Posing as Child to Defraud Caregivers
A 38-year-old woman in Brazil is accused of pretending to be a child.
She allegedly told people that she was 11 or 12 years old and had suffered abuse.
She used toys, children’s clothes, a baby bottle, and a childlike voice to make the story believable.
One couple reportedly took her in and treated her like an adopted child.
Police say she had used similar stories with several other people.
Some people gave her housing, care, or money for expenses.
The woman admits that she lied but says she did not mean to scam anyone.
Her lawyers say she was looking for love and that nobody lost money.
She faces allegations of fraud and false identity.
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 38, allegedly posed as an 11- or 12-year-old in Brazil.
She reportedly persuaded a couple to adopt her and pay for her expenses.
Police say she used fake identities, childlike behavior, toys, and claims of abuse.
Other people described similar encounters with her over roughly 10 years.
Her lawyers say she sought affection, caused no financial losses, and did not commit fraud.
- Who
- Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 38, and people who allegedly sheltered or supported her.
- What
- She appeared in court after allegedly posing as a child and using false identities to obtain care and assistance.
- When
- She was arrested in June; prosecutors described alleged incidents spanning roughly 10 years, including cases in 2017 and 2023.
- Where
- A hearing took place in Joinville, northern Santa Catarina, Brazil.
- Why
- Police and prosecutors say she used claims of abuse, autism, and illness to make people believe she was a child and take care of her.
Prosecution and accusers
Defense
Whether she committed fraud
Prosecution and accusers
Police and prosecutors say Amanda repeatedly used false identities and fabricated stories to persuade people to house, care for, or support her.
Defense
Her lawyers argue that she did not steal or rob anyone and that there were no proven financial losses, so fraud was not established.
Why she acted this way
Prosecution and accusers
People who encountered her described deliberate methods, including researching autism-related behavior and using props and emotional episodes to appear to be a child.
Defense
Amanda says she lied but did not intend to scam anyone, while her lawyers say she was seeking love, affection, and survival rather than money.
Risk and harm
Prosecution and accusers
One accuser characterized her as dangerous and described alleged self-inflicted injuries involving needles and wire, as well as claims of terminal leukemia and abuse.
Defense
The defense emphasizes that the alleged conduct did not involve robbery or theft and says the case should not be treated as a financial scam without demonstrated losses.
- Accused
- Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira
- Age
- 38
- Alleged identities
- Gabriele Ferreira dos Santos and Karolina
- Claimed ages
- 11, later 12; she also reportedly claimed to be 13 in another case
- Reported methods
- Childlike speech, toys, children’s furnishings, a baby bottle, drawings, and claims of abuse or illness
- Charges
- Fraud and false identity
- Hearing location
- Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil