Authorities in Austria are on the hunt for a woman who allegedly scammed victims out of millions while posing as a shaman, raising concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Shaman Fraud Suspect Sought by Austrian Authorities
Shaman Fraud Suspect Sought by Austrian Authorities
Austrian police launch search for woman accused of defrauding victims under the guise of a shaman.
Police in Austria have initiated a European arrest warrant for Mariana M., a 44-year-old woman suspected of defrauding individuals by pretending to possess shamanic powers. The investigation revealed over 10 million euros worth of cash, jewelry, and gold stored at her residence in Mödling, just outside Vienna. Mariana M. allegedly used the alias Amela while deceiving her victims, prompting the authorities to label her a "shaman fraudster."
The police also arrested her 29-year-old son in Wiener Neustadt. Investigators assert that Mariana M. may have targeted individuals across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. In one notable instance, she claimed a victim's close relative had been cursed, insisting that she could prevent their impending death by performing cleansing rituals in exchange for an exorbitant fee of 730,000 euros. After receiving the money in installments, the suspect severed all communication. Shortly thereafter, another woman contacted the victim to falsely relay that the supposed "shaman" had suffered a severe coma due to the ritual.
Franz Popp, the Director of Police in Lower Austria, highlighted the dangers of charlatans preying on the vulnerable, stating, "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." The police are urging any individuals who may have fallen victim to similar schemes to come forward and contact the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation.
