Over 10 million euros in valuables found at her residence, prompting fears of broader scams across nations.
Shaman Fraud Suspect Wanted in Austria: Police Issue European Arrest Warrant
Shaman Fraud Suspect Wanted in Austria: Police Issue European Arrest Warrant
Austrian authorities seek 'Mariana M' for defrauding victims through sham spiritual rituals.
Police in Austria are on the hunt for a 44-year-old woman, identified only as "Mariana M," suspected of impersonating a shaman to deceive vulnerable victims out of substantial amounts of money. Authorities have issued a European arrest warrant for her following the discovery of cash, jewelry, and gold exceeding 10 million euros at her home located in Mödling, near Vienna.
Mariana M, who also used the alias Amela, is believed to have operated across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, targeting individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Her son, aged 29, has already been apprehended and is in custody in Wiener Neustadt.
According to investigators, one victim was told by the accused that a close family member was the subject of a curse that would result in their death unless they paid 730,000 euros for "cleansing rituals." After receiving the funds in several installments, Mariana M severed all communication, leaving the victim vulnerable. Subsequently, another alleged accomplice notified the victim that the self-proclaimed shaman had been hospitalized following a ritual gone awry.
Franz Popp, the director of the Lower Austria police, commented on the case, highlighting the exploitation of individuals in emotional or financial distress by such fraudsters. "People looking for answers often fall prey to those who claim to possess supernatural powers," he said.
In light of the ongoing investigation, police are urging anyone else who may have been victimized by Mariana M to come forward to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation.
Mariana M, who also used the alias Amela, is believed to have operated across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, targeting individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Her son, aged 29, has already been apprehended and is in custody in Wiener Neustadt.
According to investigators, one victim was told by the accused that a close family member was the subject of a curse that would result in their death unless they paid 730,000 euros for "cleansing rituals." After receiving the funds in several installments, Mariana M severed all communication, leaving the victim vulnerable. Subsequently, another alleged accomplice notified the victim that the self-proclaimed shaman had been hospitalized following a ritual gone awry.
Franz Popp, the director of the Lower Austria police, commented on the case, highlighting the exploitation of individuals in emotional or financial distress by such fraudsters. "People looking for answers often fall prey to those who claim to possess supernatural powers," he said.
In light of the ongoing investigation, police are urging anyone else who may have been victimized by Mariana M to come forward to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation.
