Wicked: woman burnt to death in Brazil for having less than ten pounds in her account

Sao Paulo ... one of the most dangerous cities in the world

A VIOLENT gang of thieves in Brazil burned a woman to death after stealing her credit card and finding she had less than £10 on it.

The teenage thugs burst into the office of dentist Cinthya Magaly Moutinho de Souza, in Sao Paulo, shortly after midday on Thursday while she was treating a patient.

They demanded the 46-year-old hand over all her money.

But when a petrified Ms de Souza said she had none she gave them her credit card and PIN.

One of the criminals held her and her client hostage while the others went to a cash point to empty her account – only to find she had less than £10 in it.

The furious men returned, doused her with alcohol and set her on fire.

They put a hood over the head of the patient, who heard Ms de Souza screaming at her attackers: “Don’t do it.”

Cops said: “Military police who rushed to the scene found her dead. The gang was seen escaping in a black Audi driven by a fourth accomplice.”

One of the suspects, a 17-year-old, was arrested at his home within hours and confessed to the crime.

Ms de Souza’s dad said his daughter was attacked three years ago as she was leaving her office, but a security guard in the street had saved her that time.

He said: “I hope that society can be more peaceful and that cases like this do not happen again.”

Victoria Fernandes, a neighbour, praised Ms de Souza, who was to be buried yesterday. “She was a very good, very simple person. She did not charge for consultations, just for the treatment she did.”

It is the latest in a string of violent attacks leading to growing fears over safety in Brazil during the World Cup next year.