Maria Branca dos Santos, more commonly referred to as "Dona" Branca[1] (1902–1992), was a Portuguese criminal known chiefly for maintaining a Ponzi scheme in Portugal between 1970 and 1984 that paid a ten percent monthly interest.[2] During this time she became popularly known as "The people's banker".[3]
Dona Branca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Maria Branca dos Santos 1902 |
| Died | 1992 (aged 89–90) |
| Nationality |  Portugal |
| Other names | Dona Branca |
| Motive | Fraud, Forgery |
| Criminal penalty | 10 years in jail |
Dona Branca was arrested in 1984, and in 1988 she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.[4] She was one of the last inmates of Convento das Mónicas when it was dismantled in 1989.
In 1993 RTP created a telenovela titled A Banqueira do Povo ("The People's Banker") based on these events with Eunice Muñoz playing the role of the title character, in this case Dona Benta.
References
edit- ^ Prowse, Madeleine (2 August 1984). "Where does Granny the banker get her money?". The Globe and Mail; Toronto, Ont. [Toronto, Ont]. pp. CL3 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Ramalhete, Vera (1 February 2016). "Do primeiro ao maior esquema Ponzi. Conheça cinco casos". www.jornaldenegocios.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-14.
- ^ "People's banker is put on trial". Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada). February 19, 1988.
- ^ Visão, Apanhados pelos selos, 18 May 2006.
External links
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