18/08/2009

Brazil Tries Alleged 'Insurance Scam' Britons

Two UK law graduates arrested in Brazil are reported to have admitted fraudulently claiming some of their belongings had been stolen during a robbery.

According to a report on Brazil's TV Globo Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner, both 23, told a court on Monday, in Rio de Janeiro, that they were robbed but exaggerated the theft to increase their insurance claim.

The women are said to have told police that goods worth £1,000 were stolen from them during a tourist excursion to the south of the country.

Police have allegedly uncovered some of the items reported stolen in their hostel room in the city.

Brazilian newspaper O Globo said an officer's suspicions were raised by the their quietness when they reported the losses.

Ms Andrews, from Frant, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and Ms Turner, from Woolton Hill, near Newbury, Berkshire were on bail until their trial.

They have been staying at a hotel in Rio.

Ms Andrews' mother, Simone Headley, said the friends were traumatised by their ordeal. She added that it had been a "misunderstanding" at the end of their trip.

It is expected the judge will decide on the punishment later this week.

(GK/BMcc)

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