Austrian Authorities Pursue Suspected Shaman Fraudster

A 44-year-old Austrian citizen, known only as Mariana M, is under investigation for allegedly defrauding individuals through false promises of spiritual cleansing, with her son currently detained. Authorities have uncovered valuables exceeding 10 million euros linked to the scheme.

Police in Austria are on the hunt for a woman they believe scammed numerous victims under the guise of being a shaman. Known only as "Mariana M," the 44-year-old suspect has been implicated in a scheme that reportedly swindled large sums of money from individuals searching for spiritual guidance.

Investigators discovered an astonishing cache of cash, jewellery, and gold valued at over 10 million euros (£8.3 million) at her residence in Mödling, a town near Vienna. Mariana M, who also went by the name Amela, is thought to have defrauded individuals across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

One particularly egregious case involved a victim to whom the suspect claimed that a close relative was cursed and facing imminent death. To break the supposed curse, Mariana M allegedly extracted 730,000 euros under the pretense of conducting "cleansing rituals." After receiving the payments in multiple installments, she severed contact, leaving the victim without recourse. This incident escalated when another woman informed the victim that the "shaman" had slipped into a coma following the ritual.

Franz Popp, Director of Police in Lower Austria, lamented the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking solace, stating, "Profiteers have established themselves who claim to possess supernatural powers. They exploit the trust of their victims who are in emotional or financial distress."

The police are actively urging any additional victims to reach out to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation as they pursue this extraordinary case of alleged fraud.