Woman, 38, Accused of Years of Fraud by Posing as a Child

Civil Police of Santa CatarinaA 38-year-old woman has been arrested after posing as a 12-year-old and tricking a couple into taking her in for more than a year. Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira was arrested in Santa Catarina, Brazil, on fraud and false identity offenses after she managed to keep up the pretense that she was a child for 16 months. While living with the couple in the southern city of Joinville, the woman lived in a bedroom stuffed with toys, and even had a party to celebrate her 12th birthday. She maintained childlike behaviors, including using pacifiers and baby bottles. Authorities said Oliveira first approached the couple at a church, posing as an 18-year-old called “Gabrielle” who was autistic and needed financial help. She later claimed she was only 11 and that she looked older because her father made her take growth hormones and sexually abused her. The suspect’s alleged deception was uncovered after a family member visiting the couple became suspicious and then found other examples of Oliveira posing as a child online. The suspect is alleged to have carried out the same scam in cities such as Rio de Janeiro as far back as 15 years ago, when she was in her early twenties. Read it at The Guardian Read more at The Daily Beast.