A woman claiming to be a ‘shaman’ is accused of swindling millions of pounds from her victims using her ‘fortune-telling powers’.
Gold, jewellery and cash worth more than £8.3 million were uncovered at the home of Marina M in Mödling, near the Austrian capital of Vienna.
The 44-year-old persuaded people of her supernatural abilities, going as far as convincing a woman that a close relative was cursed and that she could foresee their death, police said.
To break this alleged curse, the accused then demanded a six-figure sum for ‘cleansing rituals’.
After the victim handed over more than £600,000 to Marina M in several installments, she broke off contact with her.
Another woman eventually phoned her, telling her that the ‘shaman’ had fallen into a severe coma due to the ‘cleansing ritual’.
Police believe Mariana M may have defrauded people in Austria, Germany and Switzerland and authorities are currently working to track down more of her victims.
After issuing a a European arrest warrant, officers are hunting the woman, who also goes by the name Amela.
Her 29 year-old son was also arrested and is in custody in the town of Wiener Neustadt.
Pictures shared by Austrian authorities released pictures of gold jewellery and pearls found at her home.
Director of police in Lower Austria, Franz Popp, said: ‘In a world in which many people are looking for answers to the essential questions of life, profiteers have established themselves who claim to possess supernatural powers.
‘Self-proclaimed gurus or spiritual advisors promise healing, happiness or sometimes even contact with the deceased.
‘But behind the esoteric facades there are often tough business interests.
‘They exploit the trust of their victims, who are in emotional or financial distress and are looking for help and support.’
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