A woman in Brazil has been arrested for allegedly attempting to secure a loan using her deceased uncle’s identity, according to reports from Brazilian media outlets G1, O Dia, and UOL Notícias. The incident occurred on April 16, 2024, when Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes brought the body of her uncle, 68-year-old Paulo Roberto Braga, to a bank in Bangu, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro.
Concerned bank employees noticed Nunes holding Braga’s head and hand, attempting to make him sign the loan documents. The employees became suspicious and recorded a video of Nunes speaking to the unresponsive Braga, who had his eyes closed and a pale complexion. Nunes was later arrested on charges of fraud and violation of a corpse.
According to Reuters, Nunes can be heard on the video saying, “Uncle, are you listening? You need to sign.” She then added, “He doesn’t say anything, that’s just how he is. If you’re not okay, I’m going to take you to the hospital.” However, the bank staff called the police and ambulance, and Nunes was arrested at the scene.
Further police investigations revealed surveillance footage showing Nunes and a driver helping Braga out of a vehicle at a parking lot near the bank. Braga appeared unresponsive in the footage, and police chief Fábio Luiz told G1 that Braga was already deceased when he arrived at the bank. Police forensic analysis reportedly determined that he had died earlier while lying down.
However, Nunes’ lawyer claimed that Nunes believed Braga was alive when they arrived at the bank. The lawyer also mentioned that Nunes was taking medication for psychological treatment and may have experienced an episode that day. The chief added that investigations are ongoing and other family members are being identified.
This incident highlights the importance of ethical behavior and adherence to legal and moral standards. Attempting to secure a loan using a deceased person’s identity is not only illegal but also unethical. It is crucial to respect the law and the dignity of all individuals, even in difficult circumstances. The bank employees’ quick thinking and action in alerting the authorities prevented a potential fraud and upheld the integrity of the banking system.