A Brazilian woman who allegedly convinced a family that she was a vulnerable runaway child has been found guilty of fraud and false identity after living with them for 14 months. Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, who is actually 37, reportedly presented herself as an 11- or 12-year-old girl named Gabriele, with the family eventually treating her as a daughter and preparing to pursue formal adoption.
The unusual case unfolded in Joinville, Santa Catarina, after Oliveira allegedly claimed she had escaped an abusive home in Pará. Her story included claims that she had been forced to undergo hormone treatments and suffered various medical problems. The deception eventually collapsed when relatives became suspicious and discovered reports allegedly linking her to similar incidents elsewhere in Brazil.
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Brazilian Woman Claimed She Was a 12-Year-Old Runaway
According to reports and a translated statement from the Court of Justice of Santa Catarina, Oliveira first approached a local church pastor while claiming to be a runaway child from Pará who had escaped an abusive situation.
The pastor and members of the congregation reportedly helped her before connecting her with a family willing to provide a home. The family eventually welcomed Oliveira into their house, believing she was a young girl in need of protection.
For around 14 months, she maintained the identity of a child named Gabriele, although some reports spell the name as Gabriela. She reportedly claimed to be around 11 or 12 years old and portrayed herself as someone desperate for a safe and caring home.
The family reportedly went so far as to prepare for a formal adoption. During her time with them, Oliveira received food, accommodation, medical care and other forms of support.
| Detail | Reported information |
| Name | Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira |
| Actual age | 37 |
| Claimed age | Approximately 11 or 12 |
| Claimed name | Gabriele/Gabriela |
| Claimed origin | Pará |
| Actual origin | Ceará |
| Location | Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| Time with family | Approximately 14 months |
| Arrest | June 2, 2026 |
| Conviction | Fraud and false identity |
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She Used Childlike Behavior to Keep the Identity Secret
The story became even more elaborate as Oliveira reportedly adopted behaviors designed to make the family believe she really was a child.
Reports say she used a high-pitched, childlike voice and behaved like a much younger girl. She reportedly drank from a baby bottle, used a pacifier, slept with a comfort blanket and played with toys.
She also allegedly explained her adult appearance by claiming she had suffered abuse during childhood and had been forced to take hormones. Her story reportedly included various medical problems that were used to explain other aspects of her identity.
The family even celebrated what they believed was her 12th birthday.
Oliveira also reportedly received medication and medical treatment from the family, including treatment connected to diabetes and obesity. Reports specifically mentioned tirzepatide among the medications she received.
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Relatives Became Suspicious and the 14-Month Deception Unraveled
The carefully maintained story eventually began to fall apart when relatives of the host family questioned Oliveira’s background.
They reportedly searched for information about her online and found reports that appeared to connect her with similar incidents in other Brazilian states. The family then contacted police.
Oliveira was arrested at the home on June 2, 2026.
During questioning, she reportedly admitted that she had been using a false name and age. She also acknowledged that she was actually from Ceará, rather than Pará as she had previously claimed.
Authorities subsequently examined allegations that the Joinville incident was part of a much longer pattern.
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Authorities Say She Had Used Similar Identities for Years
According to reporting cited by multiple outlets, the Joinville case was allegedly not an isolated incident. Oliveira had reportedly used similar identities for more than 15 years and lived in different Brazilian states while relying on assistance from strangers.
The Washington Post described the alleged conduct as an “elaborate fraud.”
The allegations describe a recurring pattern in which Oliveira allegedly presented herself as a vulnerable child, gained sympathy from individuals or families and received accommodation and other support.
Her defense, however, disputed the idea that she deliberately created the identities as a scheme to obtain financial benefits.
One of her lawyers, Lúcio Sousa, argued that Oliveira’s actions were connected to survival and her personal circumstances.
“She admits that she invented an identity,” Sousa said before the verdict, according to the Post. “It was the way she found to survive. But she has been a vulnerable person for more than 20 years.
“She has lived on the streets, and there has been no allegation that she obtained any financial advantage, or committed robbery or theft, which, in theory, means the elements of fraud have not been established.”
Her defense also sought a mental-health evaluation. A judge determined that Oliveira was competent to stand trial.
Oliveira Said She Did Not Intend to Scam the Family
Oliveira acknowledged lying about her age and identity but maintained that she did not intend to deliberately defraud or hurt the people who had helped her.
According to police statements cited in the reporting, she said:
“Of course, I deceived people, I lied,” she said, according to police, the Post reported. “But I didn’t intend to scam anyone.”
She also connected her actions to a desire for affection and care that she believed she had lacked during childhood.
“There was a certain void in me, a need to have that kind of care, so I always sought it out,” she said.
Her explanation became central to the defense’s argument that her behavior stemmed from vulnerability and a need for support rather than a malicious attempt to steal money.
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Court Finds Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira Guilty of Fraud
A court in Joinville found Oliveira guilty of fraud and using a false identity in August 2026.
Reports have described the sentence in slightly different ways. Fox News and the New York Post reported one year, six months and 10 days in prison, plus four months and 18 days of detention.
Other reports have described the overall sentence as one year, 10 months and 28 days, incorporating the additional detention period.
The court determined that Oliveira deliberately created a fictitious identity and maintained the deception while obtaining the costs of her subsistence from the family. The conviction therefore focused on the false identity and fraudulent conduct established in the case, rather than allegations that she physically harmed members of the family.
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Defense Plans to Appeal the Fraud Conviction
Following the verdict, Oliveira’s lawyer Lúcio Sousa indicated that the legal team intended to challenge the decision.
In a statement posted to Instagram, he said they would:
“pursue all appropriate legal measures and appeals before the higher courts.”
As of the latest reports, the conviction and sentence remain in place. Authorities have also reportedly continued examining allegations involving earlier incidents in other Brazilian jurisdictions.
Those earlier cases concern claims that Oliveira previously used similar stories and identities, although their circumstances and legal status may differ from the Joinville conviction.
Disclaimer
This article is based on court information, police statements and contemporaneous reporting from Brazilian and international news organizations, including Fox News, The Washington Post, the New York Post, Mirror, UNILAD and VICE, as available through August 24, 2026. Details concerning Oliveira’s earlier alleged activities, her background and the exact calculation of her sentence vary between reports. The sentence has been reported both as one year, six months and 10 days plus four months and 18 days of detention and as a combined total of one year, 10 months and 28 days. The conviction for fraud and false identity is consistent across the cited reports. This article is not an official court transcript.
Sources / Links
- The Washington Post — “At 37, she pretended to be a child. Now she’s on trial.”
- New York Post — “Brazilian con artist, 37, posed as 12-year-old autistic abuse victim to con family into adoption”
- The Mirror — “Serial conwoman, 38, pretended to be 12-year-old girl to dupe families into adopting her”
- The Guardian — “Brazilian woman, 38, accused of years of ‘elaborate fraud’ by posing as a child”
- People — “Woman Convicted After Posing as 12-Year-Old Girl and Living with Foster Family”
- G1 (Globo) — Official Brazilian coverage of the conviction
- CNN Brasil — Conviction report
Image Credit: RDNE Stock project on Pexels
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