Austrian Police Hunt ‘Shaman Fraudster’ in Multi-Million Euro Scam

Austrian police are on the lookout for a 44-year-old woman identified as "Mariana M," who allegedly tricked victims out of large sums by claiming to perform mystical cleansing rituals. Her son is currently in custody, and authorities believe she operated across multiple countries.

In a startling case of deception, Austrian law enforcement has issued a European arrest warrant for a woman believed to have impersonated a shaman to swindle individuals out of significant amounts of money. The suspect, identified only as "Mariana M," aged 44 and a resident of Mödling near Vienna, allegedly amassed assets including cash, jewelry, and gold that are valued at over 10 million euros (£8.3 million).

Mariana M was known to operate under the alias "Amela." Authorities revealed her 29-year-old son has been detained in Wiener Neustadt amid ongoing investigations. According to police reports, Mariana M is believed to have perpetrated fraud not only in Austria but also in neighboring Germany and Switzerland.

The modus operandi for the alleged scam involved deceiving a victim into believing that a close relative was under a curse, supposedly predicting their death. To "lift" this supposed curse, Mariana M demanded an exorbitant fee of 730,000 euros for various 'cleansing rituals.' Once the victim complied and paid in several transactions, the suspect allegedly severed all communication.

Following the initial deception, another woman contacted the victim, claiming that the "shaman" had fallen into a coma as a result of the ritual. Police Director Franz Popp emphasized the troubling trend of such fraudulent schemes exploiting individuals during times of emotional or financial vulnerability.

In light of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement officials urge any additional victims who may have fallen prey to similar schemes to reach out to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation. The case highlights the need for vigilance against fraudulent activities that prey on people's hope for miraculous solutions to life's challenges.