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Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira Convicted of Fraud for Pretending to be a Child for Over a Year

Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira was convicted of fraud and false identity in Brazil after spending 14 months living with a foster family while pretending to be a 12-year-old girl. The 37-year-old woman, who was sentenced to approximately 18 months in prison and five months of detention, claimed she was an abused child who had escaped from her father. To support her elaborate scheme, Oliveira used a high-pitched voice and claimed she had been forced to take growth hormones to explain her adult appearance. While the family provided housing, food, and medication, Oliveira's lawyer, Lúcio Sousa, argued that she was a survivor of street life and did not intend to scam the family for financial gain. Oliveira admitted to deceiving people to experience the love she lacked as a child. The court ruled that she was guilty of fraud because she received a financial advantage from the family's care. Her legal team plans to pursue appeals in higher courts.

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