Brazilian police revealed the case after arresting the woman at a home in the Pirabeiraba district of Joinville on 2/6.

According to investigators, the woman used the false name "Gabriele." She approached a church in Joinville, telling the pastor she had fled from Para state due to abuse. Members of the religious community provided financial assistance and found her accommodation until a local family welcomed her into their home.

The couple grew attached to "Gabriele," treating her as their own child for 14 months.

"Gabriele" explained her mature appearance by claiming to have autism and other medical conditions. She also stated she was forced to take hormones as a child, which made her facial features look older.

Police reported that "Gabriele" deliberately engaged in childish behaviors to maintain her deception, such as using baby bottles and pacifiers. Her scheme also involved faking panic attacks at night, speaking in a high-pitched voice, and acting overly dependent to attract attention and sympathy.

The 37-year-old woman attempted to act like a child to impersonate a young girl. *Photo: Newsflash*

The family celebrated "Gabriele's" 12th birthday and paid for medication to treat obesity, according to police. The couple considered officially adopting "Gabriele," but she consistently avoided discussing the procedures. She also never carried identification documents.

"Gabriele" convinced the family not to send her to school, claiming she feared her abusive father might discover her whereabouts.

A relative reported her to local authorities, leading to an investigation and the discovery of her deception. Police stated the fraud suspect confessed after her arrest on 2/6. She faces charges of fraud and using a false identity, and is currently detained at the Joinville regional prison.

Local media identified "Gabriele's" real name as Amanda Maria Sousa Oliveira. Police revealed the woman has a criminal record for similar fraud cases across several Brazilian states: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, and Goias.

In 2023, she was accused of impersonating a 12-year-old girl named "Maria Eduarda" in Nova Iguacu. The suspect claimed to have autism, alleging abuse and forced participation in witchcraft rituals. Through this deception, she successfully defrauded a former city councilor and the head of a social project for vulnerable children, receiving support.

Investigators accused her of self-inflicting at least 100 needle wounds to substantiate her abuse story. X-rays confirmed the presence of over 100 needles in her body.

The woman was arrested in connection with the 2023 case but was released one day later when the court granted her supervised release.

Police indicate the suspect frequently travels between various Brazilian states using different false identities. Consequently, her cases remain under investigation, not yet resulting in convictions.

By Tue Anh (according to The Sun)