World News

Fake Brazilian doctor treated 30 patients at hospital before revealing she bought $8 degree online

A Brazilian woman pretending to be a doctor treated nearly 30 patients at a hospital before she revealed she purchased an online degree for $8.

Mirian Santana, 27, was arrested Monday — her first day on the job at a facility in Coroados, São Paulo.

By the time she was placed in cuffs, she had already treated 30 adults and children, according to G1.

Other health care professionals became suspicious and checked her registration number, which belonged to an actual doctor.

Santana’s diploma — which she purchased online for $8 — said she completed her coursework in 2022, but the degree program did not even begin until that year, G1 reported.

Mirian Santana treated 30 patients with a degree she got online for $8
Mirian Santana, 27, was only one day on the job when she was arrested at a hospital in Coroados, São Paulo Monday. By the time she was placed in cuffs, she had already treated 30 adults and children. Facebook/

When confronted at the hospital, Santana admitted to buying the document online, the local outlet said.

She later told police that she was a speech therapist earning around $802 a month. Police did not confirm her profession, according to G1.

She landed the job at the clinic through an outsourcing company that had participated in a bidding process with City Hall.

Mirian Santana.
Other health care professionals became suspicious and checked Santana’s registration number, which belonged to an actual doctor. Facebook/

Santana was arrested for illegal exercise of a profession, ideological forgery, use of a false document, danger to life and attempted embezzlement.

The alleged criminal was taken to Tupi Paulista, where she will be held while Civil Police investigate, according to G1.