Brazilian Woman Arrested for Wheeling Dead Man to Bank for Loan

A 42-year-old Brazilian woman, Érika de Souza Vieira Nunes, was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to take out a loan in the name of a dead man, whom she claimed was her uncle. The incident occurred at a bank in Bangu, a neighborhood in western Rio de Janeiro.

Nunes brought the 68-year-old man, identified as Paulo Roberto Braga, into the bank in a wheelchair and tried to sign papers for a $3,250 loan. Security footage showed Nunes interacting with her deceased uncle, trying to get him to sign the loan documents, despite the fact that he was clearly dead. "Uncle, are you listening? You have to sign it. I can't sign for you," Nunes was heard saying in the video.

Bank employees became suspicious of Braga's unresponsive nature and lolling head, and they called the police. The authorities arrested Nunes for fraud and took Braga's body to the morgue. Doctors confirmed that Braga had been dead for several hours before Nunes brought him to the bank.

During an interview with the police, Nunes claimed that her uncle was alive when they entered the bank. However, investigators determined that Braga had been dead for hours based on the evidence. A preliminary forensic analysis concluded that Braga had died between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the same day, and the police dispute Nunes' claim that he died at the bank, as the cadaver spots on his body indicate he died while lying down, not seated in the wheelchair.

Why this matters: This shocking incident highlights the lengths some individuals may go to in order to secure funds, as well as the importance of vigilance and proper protocols in financial institutions to prevent fraud and abuse. The case also raises questions about the welfare and care of elderly and vulnerable individuals in society.

Nunes is currently facing charges of attempted theft through fraud and defiling a cadaver. Her lawyer has denied the accusations, claiming that Nunes has mental health issues and may have been having a breakdown at the time of the incident. Authorities are also investigating whether Nunes was actually Braga's niece and are seeking the person who drove the pair to the bank. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Braga's death and Nunes' alleged actions.

Key Takeaways

• A Brazilian woman arrested for attempting to take a loan using her dead uncle's identity.
• She brought the deceased uncle's body in a wheelchair to the bank to sign loan documents.
• Bank employees grew suspicious and called the police, leading to the woman's arrest for fraud.
• Forensic analysis showed the uncle had died hours before the attempted loan transaction.
• The woman faces charges of attempted theft through fraud and defiling a cadaver.