An 85-year-old man from Massachusetts who had health and memory problems sent more than $1 million to a woman he was dating. She allegedly told him she needed the money to pay taxes and legal fees on farmland she was expected to inherit in Brazil, federal prosecutors say. According to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts, the farmland, inheritance tax and lawyers did not exist. Maria Auxiliadora Rezende, 66, of Revere, Massachusetts, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of wire fraud. Federal agents arrested her and charged her through a criminal complaint on 10 November 2026. The grand jury indictment was announced on 13 November 2026.How prosecutors say the scheme workedCourt documents filed in federal court in Boston say Rezende began a romantic relationship with the 85-year-old man. Authorities have not released his name or hometown. Prosecutors say Rezende falsely told the man that she was going to inherit farmland in Brazil. She allegedly convinced him that he could earn money from the property if he helped pay a supposed Brazilian inheritance tax and related legal costs. Federal investigators say the entire story was made up. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the farmland did not exist. Neither did the Brazilian inheritance tax, the lawyers or the legal fees.
Massachusetts man, 85, loses $1M in alleged fake Brazil farmland romance scam
An 85-year-old man sent over $1 million to a woman claiming she needed it for taxes and legal fees. Maria Auxiliadora Rezende allegedly fabricated a story concerning inherited farmland in Brazil. Family members noticed unusual transactions and investigated the situation after voicing concerns. Authorities arrested Rezende and she faces a federal indictment for wire fraud.
In brief
An 85-year-old man from Massachusetts who had health and memory problems sent more than $1 million to a woman he was dating. She allegedly told him she needed the money to pay taxes and legal fees on farmland she was expected to inherit in Brazil, federal prosecutors say. Prosecutors say Rezende falsely told the man that she was going to inherit farmland in Brazil. Attorney's Office, the farmland did not exist.
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