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
Died1992 (aged 89–90)
Nationality Portugal
Other namesDona Branca
MotiveFraud, Forgery
Criminal penalty10 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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Ramalhete, Vera (1 February 2016). "Do primeiro ao maior esquema Ponzi. Conheça cinco casos". www.jornaldenegocios.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  3. ^ "People's banker is put on trial". Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada). February 19, 1988.
  4. ^ Visão, Apanhados pelos selos, 18 May 2006.
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