Brazilian con artist, 37, posed as 12-year-old autistic abuse victim to con family into adopting her
A 37-year-old Brazilian con artist posed as a 12-year-old autistic abuse victim to con a family into adopting her. The woman, Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, allegedly used a fake identity and childlike behavior to gain the family's sympathy and trust over 14 months. She was eventually caught after a relative grew suspicious and discovered her true identity online, leading to her arrest and confession to the scheme.
- ▪Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 37, posed as a 12-year-old autistic girl named Gabrielle to con a family in Brazil.
- ▪Oliveira used a fake identity and childlike behavior, including drinking from a baby bottle and using a pacifier, to gain the family's sympathy and trust.
- ▪She was caught after a relative discovered her true identity online and called the police, leading to her arrest and confession to the scheme.
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World News Brazilian con artist, 37, posed as 12-year-old autistic abuse victim to con family into adopting her By Brandon Cruz Published June 7, 2026, 7:23 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google A nearly middle-aged con artist left a loving family in Brazil devastated after she posed as a desperate 12-year-old abuse victim in need of adoption, according to Brazilian authorities. Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 37, allegedly posed as an autistic little girl named Gabrielle — drinking from a baby bottle, using a pacifier, sleeping with a comfort cloth, and even faking night terrors to sell her sick charade to a Santa Catarina family she made fall in love with her over 14 months, Brazilian investigators said.
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