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i did feel sorry for them but they should realise that some countries actually punish crime. They should of never taken that gap year!

- Dan Daman, purfleet, uk, 01/08/2009 21:28
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I agree with those here who show a little more compassion for two young girls who have probably never seen the world or experienced it before. Yes, it appears on first glance as if they committed the crime knowingly. Why would a person not report being robbed on the day of the event? However, as someone already pointed out, there is a threat in such prisons of ones life, ones health and ones personal safety. I don't believe it's fair to condemn two young girls to anymore than the public humiliation they now face. However, as I intend on persuing law myself and would never dream of doing this, I agree that they should not be permitted to practise law if found guilty.

- Annabelle, London, 31/07/2009 16:07
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no, brazil is not a thirld world country (catriona from london) who has more important stuff to deal with. Wealthy LAW graduates from britain, shouldn't think that anything goes in countries like this and they can screw the insurance for whatever they want. I repeat, LAW gradutes who can afford to travel the world, not some poor misguided kids. I think that is the bigger issue here.
They should make an example out of them...

- Ana, berlin, 31/07/2009 12:48
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I think some of the comments are a little too harsh, this needs to be put into context. Just because they are white, went to university and come from a middle class back ground should not be held against them. Yes these young women committed a crime however it is not the crime of the century.

Yes they are educated but by going to university does not make you intelligent and able to make the right choices. They are naïve and stupid but not hard core criminals ! !


We all make mistakes in life and we should be punished for them. Insurance fraud is a growing problem and does affect everyone else through higher premiums. But I do not feel that these young women should have their whole life ruined. They have suffered all ready with the humiliation of their faces being all over the newspapers and TV.

- Yosi Maines, Australia, 31/07/2009 12:40
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Why is everyone so quick to judge? You cant believe everything you read in the paper. Maybe they did it maybe they didn't but innocent until proven guilty. They must be terrified and if they have committed a crime I have no doubt the punishment will be dissproportionate to the crime they have committed. Is it really fair that two young girls are currently sleeping in a corridor surrounded by criminals who have carried out far worse crimes than them? They are British Citizens who have yet to be found guilty of any crime but acording to most of you anyone would think they had all ready been tried and convicted. How unhelpfull do you think it is when the girls families read comments like this about their daughters. As if they are not suffering enough. Why not try for some empathy rather than condeming them at the first chance you get.

- Sarah, tunbridge wells england, 31/07/2009 12:19
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Enough of this "Burn the witches!" stuff. They should be punished but come on. People do make mistakes- such as going into a jail without make up full of hot Brazilian mammas. Oh yeah.... That's right.... I went there.

ps. seriously though I do really feel sorry for them and i'm sure they will have learned their lesson after a 5 day stint. They should never be allowed to practice law but on the brightside you can never have enough window cleaners.

- Dr Schitzimo, Camden, 30/07/2009 14:46
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There is an unfinished story here. Aren't they under suspicion and held pending further investigation? If and when they're found guilty is the time for harsh comments.

- Steve Skinner, Huntingdon, England, 30/07/2009 13:41
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Amazing - Brazilian police actually catching low-level criminals ! Pretty rare. Justice for anyone with a reasonable amount of money here is very unusual. A gang of neo-Nazi in Sao Paulo, caught red-handed for the murder of two, are all out on bail ! So, don't worry, the two girls will get the special privilege granted to graduates of special, holiday-camp style detention units or most likely immediate bail.

- Riodejaneirowanderer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 30/07/2009 08:22
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Has anyone thought this might be a horrible mistake? Anyone thought of how the parents feel? I support them and hope they get out safely-is reporting something really worth arresting them over if they did do it? As someone point out Brazil is a 3rd world country shouldn't it be worrying about more important things? I hope they are back soon safe!

- Catriona, London, 30/07/2009 00:05
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what's wrong with all of you?!
why do you think you have the right to judge?
why is everyone so bias and so sure there WAS a crime?
if you have no sympathy for the girls, think for just a second what their families are going through at the moment.
and yes, you should really think of the health and future of your nation if your hearts and souls are so full with rage and there's no place for mercy in there.

- Inna, Moscow, Russia, 29/07/2009 23:18
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How about innocent until proven guilty people???

- Amy, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 29/07/2009 22:28
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What is the problem with the people responding here. Are they representing the British public? I hope not: fraud should never be punished in jail. They are not dangerous to society: and in developing countries it can be a life threatening experience. I am sure they learned a lesson for life and would be better citizens for that experience: we all grow from mistakes. But why so much venom and so little compassion for young and unworldly girls who thought they were probably being as daring as some who drink and do drugs, or take other risks?

- Elita, UK, 29/07/2009 21:04
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what will the -law society- say when they apply to register as officers of the court.

- Londoner432, london uk, 29/07/2009 18:08
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Its not a misunderstanding its fraud plain and simple - they had their stuff locked in their rooms and it was found by the police. Did they forget it was there? How? They should not be let off - make an example of this two stupid girls.

- Wendy, London UK, 29/07/2009 17:48
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I suppose being law graduates, they thought they would get away with the scam against simple plod. Wrong

- Shallotman, Basildon, 29/07/2009 17:22
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Their dishonesty is appalling,Brazil is a a third world country which relies on tourism. They do not need false allegations and slurs made by spoilt western tourists which could affect this market.
Hopefully neither will be allowed to work in any capacity in the legal services industry when they use their diplomas to obtain special treatment in Brazil.

- Susan Jane Louise Garnett, Munich, 29/07/2009 17:21
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Ha Ha Ha Ha! Serves them right! That's all I have to say on the matter.

- Triffidqueen, Desk in London, 29/07/2009 17:04
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It is the honest traveller who pays through their insurance for false claims made by the thieves.

- Terry, Ealing, UK, 29/07/2009 16:59
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They deserve everything they get. They thought they were on easy street thinking they could pay for their 'working class' travels with a pathetic attempt at a scam that went wrong. Lacking in common sense like this could have lead to a far worse incident in South America. And no, a degree does not make you a lawyer. If that was the case I would be a Psychologist (I am not)

- Mark, London, 29/07/2009 16:45
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Boo Hoo. Did they not understand that insurance fraud is a crime? Or did they just think that every country is like the UK where crimes is rarely prosecuted or punished? No doubt we the tax payer will be paying for this somehow. I say let them get punished over there.

- Patrick Cunniff, Bristol UK, 29/07/2009 16:35
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If they are completely innocent, free them. If not, and the suitcases were there, intact, then jaul would be appropriate and they can never be a real lawyer...

- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town, 29/07/2009 16:28
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As much as i feel sorry for these girls i also find the whole thing very funny. They only have themselves to blame for the consquences of their actions

- Mark Taylor, Dronfield derbyshire, 29/07/2009 16:14
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I do feel sorry for them being stuck in a foreign jail - it must be scarey but what silly girls. I honestly cant believe that they graduated with law degrees! just goes to show, these days anyone can get a degree, no matter how silly you are.

- Nat, London, 29/07/2009 16:12
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What do you mean Mrs Headley that your ex has gone out there with her diploma? That's not going to help, she's not a lawyer she's a student AND she should've known better being a student of law. Obviously these two British girls thought the locals were simple and could be duped. Serves them right! What gest me is the mother said they've never been in trouble before, maybe they jsut didn't get caught before and you knew nothing about it, this time their luick ran out and now you know tha tyour daughter is a liar and a thief. You must be so proud

- Misunderstandingmyrs, Twickenham, 29/07/2009 16:07
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Can we stop winging, insurance fraud is a very serious offence costing the UK economy Billions and reducing our international competitiveness. Let the law take its course. If they are guilty we will have been spared the careers of a couple of dishonest lawyers. UK moral standards !

- Billg, Slough, 29/07/2009 15:58
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I work in insurance and am only too aware of the growing trend for fraud, whether it's burning a house down or bumping up a claim. And instead of nursing their shame secretly, it's all over the press. I have absolutely no sympathy with them.

- Blue Baby, London, 29/07/2009 15:48
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Looks like reality has hit home with these law majors, guess they thought they were immune from the law. Insurance fraud is a serious crime and these girls knew full well what they were doing, no sympathy here.

- Dirk Diggler, Soho, 29/07/2009 15:46
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The father of one of the girls is going out with her diploma to try to get special treatment. A diploma (or degree) does not make her a lawyer, if she only graduated in 2007, she has not become a lawyer. Regardless of this fraud is fraud, and if she has commited this crime, she should pay. As Law graduates they should have known better. If they are convicted they have blown their future as lawyers. Was it worth it?

- E Sullivan, London, 29/07/2009 15:44
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They probably will make more than 650 for their story once they get home so I guess its paid off for them.

- Brian Fast, Sydney, Australia, 29/07/2009 15:35
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cant help but feel sorry for these pair, how they passed a law degree is beyond me, i believe they deserve to be punished.

- Ste, b'ham, uk, 29/07/2009 15:31
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And they are potential lawyers ??? Ought to be barred in the UK from practising, I hope they will be. They should have thought twice before acting like idiots.

- Aw, Paris, France, 29/07/2009 14:58
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Truly they deserve what they got.
Legally trained.. and still want to commit insurance fraud.

- Ygj, Essex, 29/07/2009 14:58
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No sympathy for the girls. Its the classic fraudulent claim just before you go home and it changes perceptions of crime in beautiful countries like Brazil making it worse than it really is. Brazil is right to make a stand. If they were caught in this country making false alegation in this country would we sympathise? Its wrong and distorts boan fide claims.

- Paul, London, 29/07/2009 14:55
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As law graduates? they have no excuse for their actions. Fraud is a crime. The main problem with the U.K. is that it has become sociably acceptable to attempt this type of crime.

- Allan Mcfadyen, Glasgow, Scotland, 29/07/2009 14:53
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Good, they should be locked up, Hope they never become Lawyers, How the hell could you trust them.

- Jackie, malaga spain, 29/07/2009 14:52
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Should be treated like anyone else.

- Andy, Glos, uk, 29/07/2009 14:50
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Why does everybody feel the need to make nasty comments, just think for a second how you'd feel if these were friends of yours and you came on here to read comments from complete strangers. They made a mistake, it doesn't warrant you absolute nobodies to judge them further.

- Dan, London, 29/07/2009 14:48
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In my "gap year", I had to work 8 hours a day in an engine repair yard for my money - not lodge a dodgy insurance claim.

If these two silly little girls are guilty, throw the book at them. Might knock some sense into their heads.

- Jock, London, 29/07/2009 14:32
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What the families (& maybe the girls themselves) seem to have missed is that this isn't just about insurance but about a country's reputation. If you say "I was robbed in this place", you are saying that some of its inhabitants are thieves. Most people would feel their honour unfairly slighted if this turns out not to be true, and the tourist industry could feel concrete losses. While these wouldn't be factors concerning the police in the UK, who knows, maybe they are in Brazil, or maybe the cops are overextending their powers to punish a human slight. In the latter case, yes, the police might be going beyond their remit but it's still something the girls should've recognised as a possibility.

- Liz, London, UK, 29/07/2009 14:31
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Hopefully they won't be allowed to practice law - for the sake of the rest of us.

- Dave, London, 29/07/2009 14:22
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Please, why should any of us feel sorry for them. They are law students and think its perfectly ok to commit fraud in Brazil?? I say throw the book at them, and if this is their moral character they should not be allowed to practice law in this country when they get out of prison! Well done girls - there are many poverty stricken young people in this country and abroad who would love to have the education you have received and all you can think to do is flush it all down the toilet for a few hundred quid! Outrageous!

- Tara, London, 29/07/2009 14:08
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now's a good time for them to add to their English law knowledge and study the Brazilian law. Plenty of time for them to read. Good luck girls, learn law the hard way.

- Tony, Barnet, 29/07/2009 13:52
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I think they have a strong case against the university from wich they graduated.How they managed this and yet were not aware that claiming items as being stolen when in fact they had possesion off was illegal,heaven knows.So much for the education system of this country.

- Dave, london, 29/07/2009 13:40
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They could represent themselves.

- Andy, highgate, 29/07/2009 13:38
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This was a very foolish thing to do, and exactly the reason that they should never enter the legal profession.

If you are old enough to advise on the law, you are old enough to deal with the consequences of breaking it.

- Kate, London, England, 29/07/2009 13:36
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"Ms Andrews' father is on his way to Rio carrying his daughter's law diploma to enable her legal team to use a local rule which gives special privileges to imprisoned lawyers."
That'll be the "Here's an envelope with £5,000 in it. I presume that will cover the 'misunderstanding'?" special privilege, then.

- Paul H, London, UK, 29/07/2009 13:31
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Glad they were caught and they should go through the legal process but i am under no doubt our useless goverment who say they are tough on crime will just bail them out costing money that we can't afford.

- Andy Pandy, London E5, 29/07/2009 13:29
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You break the law, you risk the consequences. It's difficult enough trying to explain that to a half-wit, it's more difficult trying to find sympathy for a couple law graduates (they've obviously learned quickly the slippery ways of their - now down the toilet - future profession) whose actions increase insurance premiums for the rest of us.
Law gradutes, that is, who are obviously too thick to observe othe crim code of practise that includes: always destroy (or hide very well - not under the bed, for Christ's sake) the evidence.
Book 'em, Danno.

- Paul H, London, UK, 29/07/2009 13:26
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Good on them. At least they had a go. Most entrepreneurs go bankrupt at least once befor they make their first million.

- Tom, melbourne australia, 29/07/2009 13:19
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Why is there an assumption that these two are 'Wealthy, over-privileged, greedy and corrupt*'? With so many under-privilaged kids going to university these days, we have no idea what the scenerio is here.

It might be an idea to understand the 'facts' before passing judgement.

* apparently can't be one without the other.

- Hansel, London, 29/07/2009 13:12
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"Why are foreign prisons always 'overcrowded and dangerous'?"

I was wondering that too. Do you imagine the foreign press report on a tourist getting banged up in Britain in terms that Holloway is a pleasent easy-going environment where you can ask to change your room if you don't like the view?

But, what really irks me is that daddy is taking the law diploma so brat can get special privileges (what? like... loo paper?). If this was some scuddy working class family the story wouldn't even make the news.

- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 29/07/2009 13:01
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Let the punishment fit the crime. As lawyers they should have known this in advance. Do your homework, research first. Five years in jail if convicted. Still, in five years time they might have learned how to do the Salsa.

- Frank, Copenhagen, Denmark, 29/07/2009 12:58
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Oh dear. What with the dishonesty offence conviction and all, that'll be no law career then.

Never mind. I gather Macs are recruiting.

- Jorrocks, London, 29/07/2009 12:51
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I do feel sorry for these girls. But you have to take responsibility for yourself sometimes. Just because something isn't severely punished over here, it doesn't mean that's going to be the case elsewhere. Not worth the risk. Reminds me of those silly sods who try to smuggle drugs somewhere where there is the death penalty for doing so and then say "I had no idea"! Well, maybe you should have checked out the potential downside before commiting a crime.....

- Liz H, London, 29/07/2009 12:44
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A major outpouring of schadenfreude in the comments...

- Max, London, 29/07/2009 12:41
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Typical of the police, always looking for easy targets!

- Ray Charles, London, 29/07/2009 12:38
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What a pair of clowns. Raffles must be spinning in his grave.

- Squiz, Islington, 29/07/2009 12:32
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what about the poor person who may well have been arrested and charged for a 'made up robbery' - if the girls were not such appalling fraudsters, the police would of done their enquiries, arresting a local suspected thief perhaps - not really fair. However i think the 3 days already spent in prison will be a lesson learnt - prob time to just send them home now.. they've had their warning

- Steve, uk, 29/07/2009 12:25
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Oh give it a rest John Buckeridge, do you have any idea how many people the Brazilian Police kill compared to the British Police? It's not less...

Anyway, I don't wish to revel in other peoples misfortune, but like everyone else I have little sympathy for these two. Wealthy, over-privileged, greedy and corrupt - although they and their families will no doubt not see it that way, (it's always a 'misunderstanding').

While I sincerely doubt it will happen, they, (like everyone guilty of a criminal offence) should be barred from practising law on their return.

- John T, London, 29/07/2009 12:23
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I have absolutely no sympathy for them as they ought to know better. Typical of middle-class people going abroad and thinking they can get away with nonsence. I hope the Brasilians lock them up.

- Mrmugambo, London, England, 29/07/2009 12:15
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Hmm. Two lads stole things from my van here in UK, and I gave police a list. Weeks later I found some of those items that I hadn't put in the van, so had to ring the police to correct the list. Never bothered claiming insurance, so no harm done, but just to show that it can happen.

- Steve, London, England, 29/07/2009 12:11
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these two spoilt brats who are so mindless they think they can do 30 countries in one hit, should as part of gap year experience be thrown into the nastiest prison in rio and treated like vermin. This will be good for them and will send a message out to other fraudsters

- Mark Armstrong, london. uk, 29/07/2009 12:09
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Criminals should be punished. Why are criminals who have been arrested making the news anyway?!

- Serox, London, 29/07/2009 12:06
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Prison ordeal? Being consigned to a hellhole if convicted? Sounds dreadful. Oh just a moment, they lied to the police and got caught so deserve what they get.

And they can't even claim they were following the rules!

- Chris, London, 29/07/2009 12:05
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Thats got to be one the most embarrassing, clueless and stupid acts I have ever heard of. Two wrecked careers and lives for £650 each.

- John Entwistle, Hertford, 29/07/2009 12:03
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Fortunately, if they are found guilty they will not be allowed to practice law in the UK.

What worries me is that lawyers seem to get preferential treatment in Brazil - does this mean they are more likely to get off without charge?

- Andy, london, 29/07/2009 11:52
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Cue the media campaign to get them back to Blighty where they can have ASBOs instead of jail sentences and we have to put up with their fat chavvy parents on TV bawling about what a disgrace it is and how those foreign prisons are inhumane, blah, blah, blah.

- Bob, Cheam, 29/07/2009 11:50
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They deserve to be banged up. I wish the UK was just as strict in handing out punishment, as the majority of honest law abiding citizens, would then not have to pay excessive insurance premiums (mainly motor) because of these types of fraudsters. It's comforting to know that the future lawyers of this nation, can even think about acting in this manner. Misunderstanding - yeah right! You've thrown away your careers and now I hope the Brazillian guards throw away the key.

- Kokopelli, Nottingham, 29/07/2009 11:47
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Surely there must be a mistake, they are British! However, every cloud has a silver lining, these young legal advocates are gaining invaluable experience, on what happens on the other side of the fence, with the additional bonus to the taxpayer that it is not costing us!

- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London., 29/07/2009 11:40
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Insurance fraud = typical middle-class crime.
Our police should take a leaf out of the book of the diligent crime solving Brazilians.

- Monty, London, UK, 29/07/2009 11:37
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when will people learn, they think because they are in a foreign country you can get away with breaking the law, still good old britain will bail them out again as usual at the tax payers expense no end to endless idiots trying to line there own pockets, ugh

- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france, 29/07/2009 11:37
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Possession of a law degree does not make you a lawyer. An attempt to defraud your travel insurance company would be looked at very dimly by the Law Society if you were seeking to be a solicitor - unless you want to lie about that on the application form after you finish the Legal Practice Course!

- Edward Thompson, Bedfordshire, 29/07/2009 11:30
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LOL - one would have to have a heart of stone not to laugh! Definitely a learning experience!

- W R Stevenson, London SE26, 29/07/2009 11:25
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Let's hope that the Brazilians treat them better than we did with Jean Charles de Menezes.

- John Buckeridge, London, 29/07/2009 11:21
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Absolutely disgraceful, they should become MP's....

- Teddy, Islington, London, 29/07/2009 11:21
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If you can't do the time, don't do the crime....

- George, London, 29/07/2009 11:18
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It shows you how easy it is to get degrees at certain universities because these two must be idiots.

- Beth D, London,united Kingdom, 29/07/2009 11:16
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Why are foreign prisons always 'overcrowded and dangerous'?

- Brian, Hounslow, UK, 29/07/2009 11:09
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Good work by the police, stupid (greedy?) actions of the girls but regardless of whether they are jailed or not, I suspect the lesson will have been well and truly learned by now. As they say, dont lie if lying is not your strong point.

- Dc, London, 29/07/2009 10:52
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So if proved, what this demonstrates is that our Universities really are turning out stupid people...and law graduates too...I fear for our nation's future.

Of course, our government, aided and abetted by our glorious liberal media, will fall overthemselves to get them out of the inevitible "hell hole" that they will "languish" in for a few months, if found guilty, and so the circle will go round again with another muppet that thinks they can willfully flout laws here, or there.

- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Mad as hell and not taking it anymore..., 29/07/2009 10:50
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Seriously hope I never have either of those two act for me as lawyers in the future. Not exactly trustworthy are they.

- Louise, Essex, 29/07/2009 10:48
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They are supposed to be law graduates and they could not pull off a simple job like this. Ha-ha-ha, what a pair of jokers.

- Darren, london, 29/07/2009 10:37
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They would make good MPs if they ever come back. Silly girls.

- Paul, London, 29/07/2009 10:34
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Actions that here get you say, a slap on the wrist, can have very dire consequences abroad.
Attempted insurance fraud is very common in hotels, but here, rather than the fraudster being hauled off and put in a cell bythe police, the insurance company makes enquiries, and 90% of the time, the claims are then simply dropped.

Those young women where very stupid to try a stunt like this....

- Juma, london, uk, 29/07/2009 10:32
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Just the kind of people we want acting as lawyers..if the case is proven they should not be allowed to work in the legal profession. A silly mistake? no this was a deliberate attempt to defraud an insurance company.

- H, London, UK, 29/07/2009 10:29
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Great start to a law career. They deserve to be locked up in Brazil - serves them right. Insurance fraud is just another form of theft. We ALL have to pay higher premiums because of thieves like these.

- Ethan, UK, 29/07/2009 09:57
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