Brazil woman convicted of posing as 12-year-old to live with foster family

Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, a woman in her late 30s, has been convicted in Joinville, Brazil, for fraud and using a false identity. Oliveira spent 14 months living with a foster family by posing as a 12-year-old girl named “Gabriel” or “Gabriele.”

To maintain the deception, Oliveira reportedly used a high-pitched voice, utilized pacifiers and baby bottles, and claimed to be a victim of severe abuse and medical experimentation. The foster family, who believed she was a vulnerable child, provided her with housing, food, and medical care, and had even planned to formally adopt her.

The scheme was uncovered after a relative became suspicious of her appearance and discovered reports of similar incidents involving Oliveira in other regions. Investigators suggest she may have used variations of this deception across multiple Brazilian states for over 15 years. Oliveira has been sentenced to approximately 18 months in prison.