Austrian Authorities Pursue Arrest of Alleged Shaman Fraudster

Austrian police are actively searching for a woman, identified only as "Mariana M," who is alleged to have posed as a shaman to swindle victims out of millions through fraudulent rituals. An arrest warrant has been issued as investigations reveal vast sums of cash and valuables found at her residence.

Police in Austria are on the hunt for a suspect known only as "Mariana M," a 44-year-old woman believed to have impersonated a shaman to swindle numerous individuals out of substantial sums of money. The investigation has revealed over 10 million euros (£8.3 million) worth of cash, jewelry, and gold discovered in her home located in Mödling, near Vienna.

Authorities report that the suspect, who also went by the name of Amela, has victims spanning across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. One alarming case involved Mariana M convincing a victim that a family member was cursed and at risk of death. To remedy this supposed curse, the accused extracted a staggering 730,000 euros for a series of so-called 'cleansing rituals.' Following the transfer of funds, the victim lost contact with Mariana M, only to receive a call from another woman claiming that the shaman had entered a severe coma due to the ritual.

Franz Popp, the Director of Police in Lower Austria, emphasized the vulnerability of individuals drawn to such deceptive practices. He indicated that “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," warning that these individuals exploit the trust of those facing emotional or financial hardships.

A European arrest warrant has officially been issued for Mariana M, and the police are urging any additional victims to come forward and report their experiences to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation.