Austrian Police Pursue Suspected Shaman Fraudster Linked to €10 Million Scam

Austrian authorities are actively searching for a woman named Mariana M, suspected of posing as a shaman to defraud multiple victims across Europe out of significant sums of money. Following the discovery of valuables worth over €10 million at her residence, police are appealing for further testimonies from alleged victims.

Austrian police have issued a European arrest warrant for a 44-year-old woman named only as Mariana M, who is suspected of posing as a shaman to defraud victims of large sums of money. Investigations revealed that her home in Mödling, near Vienna, held cash, jewelry, and gold totaling over €10 million (£8.3 million).

Authorities are investigating claims that Mariana M, who also went by the alias Amela, swindled individuals not only in Austria but also in Germany and Switzerland. One victim was reportedly told that a family member had been cursed and needed urgent spiritual assistance. To "cleanse" this supposed curse, she allegedly demanded a staggering €730,000 for various rituals. After receiving the money in multiple payments, she ceased all contact with the victim.

In a further twist, the victim received a call from a different woman claiming that Mariana M fell into a deep coma due to the cleansing ritual. Franz Popp, the Director of Police in Lower Austria, criticized such fraudsters, 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." He added that these individuals take advantage of those who are vulnerable or in distress.

As investigations continue, police are urging any potential victims of Mariana M to come forward and contact the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation.