Woman loses €300K in psychic scam after family curse deception
A 38-year-old woman lost nearly €300,000 in a psychic scam after being convinced her family was cursed. Veronika V., a minor participant in the fraud, has now been sentenced for her role in collecting the money. The court handed her a suspended prison term and ordered repayments to the victim and a charity.
Between late March and early April 2024, Patrizia M. handed over €136,000 in cash to Veronika V. The victim had been persuaded by psychics Eva and Warwara that her daughter faced grave misfortune unless expensive artifacts were bought to break a family curse.
The exchanges took place in unusual locations, including a Family Dollar store parking lot. Veronika V., a law student with no declared income, raised suspicions when investigators noted her ownership of high-end shoes despite her modest financial background. Veronika V. received €1,000 plus expenses for acting as a courier in the scheme. She avoided immediate imprisonment after confessing and cooperating with police. The court sentenced her to two years in prison, suspended, for four counts of commercial and organized fraud. In addition to the suspended sentence, she must repay the full €136,000 to Patrizia M. A further €5,000 was ordered as a payment to a social welfare organization.
The case highlights the financial and emotional toll of fraudulent psychic schemes. Veronika V. will serve no jail time but must meet the repayment demands. Patrizia M. remains out of pocket for the total sum lost in the scam.
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