Brazilian police have arrested a 37-year-old woman accused of posing as a 12-year-old girl and convincing a family to take her in for more than a year in an elaborate deception that has stunned the country.
According to reports, the woman used the name “Gabriele” and initially approached a church seeking help. She allegedly claimed to be a minor who had fled an abusive household in the northern state of Pará, earning the sympathy of church members and receiving financial assistance.
She was eventually introduced to a kind-hearted family, who welcomed her into their home and cared for her as their daughter for approximately 14 months.
To maintain the deception, the woman reportedly adopted childlike behaviour, including using baby bottles and pacifiers and sleeping with a comfort blanket. She also spoke in a higher-pitched voice and allegedly staged episodes of nighttime panic attacks to reinforce the image of a vulnerable child in need of care.
The family became deeply attached to her and even organised a birthday party celebrating her supposed 12th birthday. They were also reportedly considering formal adoption procedures and helping cover medical expenses.
When questions arose about her mature appearance, the woman allegedly claimed that years of abuse, autism and forced hormone injections had affected her physical development. She also avoided attending school by insisting she feared being found by her abusive father.
The scheme eventually unravelled when a relative of the family became suspicious and alerted authorities.
Police investigations later revealed that the suspect had allegedly carried out similar scams in several Brazilian states, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.
In one previous case in 2023, she reportedly posed as another 12-year-old girl and claimed to be a victim of abuse and ritual practices to gain sympathy. Investigators said she even harmed herself and inserted more than 100 needles into her body to support her claims, with medical examinations reportedly confirming the presence of numerous needles.
The woman was arrested on June 2 and is currently being investigated on allegations including fraud and identity falsification.
