“I deceived people, I lied”: A 37 year old woman pretrended to be a child for years and convinced families she needed protection; now she is convicted of fraud

A bizarre case in Brazil has drawn widespread attention after a woman in her 30s was convicted of fraud and false identity following years of pretending to be a child. Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira is accused of creating a false identity and presenting herself as much younger than her actual age, at times living with families who believed she was a child in need of protection. According to The Washington Post, Oliveira acknowledged, in statements to police, that she had pretended to be a child but denied intending to commit fraud. Her case has raised questions about her motives, the people who trusted her and how she managed to maintain the false identity for so long.

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