**A hoaxer pretending to be Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was interviewed by Portuguese-language radio stations before being found out.**An interview he did with Angolan state radio was broadcast on air for a few days before the hoax was discovered.
The impersonator discussed the 2016 Olympics - due to be hosted by Rio de Janeiro - in the interviews.
A local Brazilian radio station seeking content for a comedy slot is believed to be behind the hoax.
BBC regional analyst Leonardo Rocha says the impersonator convincingly imitated President Lula’s husky voice and informal style.
Radio stations that broadcast in Portuguese received an e-mail a few days ago saying President Lula was willing to be interviewed about the 2016 Olympics.
Editors at Angola’s national radio were said to be in a state of shock.
HOAXES
- 1995: Canadian DJ calls Queen Elizabeth II pretending to be Canadian PM Jean Chretien
- 1998: British DJ get through to PM Tony Blair by impersonating opposition leader William Hague
- 2003: Miami DJs prank-called Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez while pretending to be Cuba’s Fidel Castro
- 2006: Canadian impersonator hoaxed President Jacques Chirac by claiming to be Conservative leader Stephen Harper
In the interview, the impersonator praises Angola for its good work ahead of the African Cup of Nations, which it will host in two month’s time.
The impersonator also said: “We know we have a huge Brazilian diaspora in Australia and we’re very honoured to be getting in touch with our people around the world.”
But a sound engineer at Australia’s SBC ration station became suspicious that the president would be giving interviews on a poor telephone line, and not from a studio in the capital Brasilia.
The Australian station has demanded the authorities open an investigation into the prank.