Lawyer Marcelo Henrique Morato Castilho pretended to have been kidnapped in one case (Photo: Jam Press)

A fake UN ambassador who deceived women before disappearing from their lives by staging his own kidnapping has been jailed for three years.

Lawyer Marcelo Henrique Morato Castilho deceived at least six victims with his manipulation methods worthy of a “movie plot,” the judge said.

He was first investigated after misleading a doctor he had known since childhood after reconnecting with her at church in 2017.

Just over a month later, he proposed to her and their wedding date was set for the end of 2018.

Castilho made her pay the entire cost of the wedding after informing her that he could not pay for it himself because his salary had been deposited into an American bank.

He disappeared two days before the big day and his fiancée received a photo of him tied up and kneeling.

The scammer has deceived several women (Photo: Jam Press)

After seeking help, she quickly lost contact with her future husband and his family, so she called the police.

When she later filed a complaint against Castilho, she learned that he was married to another woman who police also considered a victim.

The court in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, heard how the lawyer wooed his victims by posing as a UN ambassador, a former judge, a diplomat and even an English gentleman.

They say he lived a life of luxury to impress women before suddenly disappearing from their lives.

In at least one case, Castilho claimed to have suffered a stroke and in another, he fell into a coma while abroad.

In court, Castilho denied the allegations and told the judges that the doctor of his own free will covered the costs of the wedding, including the venue, dress and photographer.

Judge Gláucia Véspoli de Oliveira said: “The suspect shows a manipulative and inventive personality and exhibits pathological lying behavior.”

“His inventions and plans know no bounds, not even in the realm of logic.”

Castilho was sentenced to three years and six months in a semi-open prison and must pay the doctor £10,000.

Judge De Oliveira described his ‘series of lies’ as ‘worthy of a movie plot’.

He added: “The motives behind the crime are extremely self-centered.

“Egocentrism, narcissism, chauvinism, pleasure in deception, or sadism toward the suffering of others are some possible traits evident in his behavior.”

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