Austrian authorities are on the lookout for a 44-year-old woman, identified only as Mariana M, believed to have defrauded vulnerable individuals by posing as a shaman. A European arrest warrant has been issued following the discovery of cash, jewelry, and gold valued at over €10 million at her residence in Mödling, near Vienna.
The police have reported that Mariana M, also known under the alias Amela, may have operated in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, exploiting individuals seeking spiritual guidance. One notable case involved a victim who was told that a close relative was cursed, leading her to pay the suspect a staggering €730,000 for purported cleansing rituals. After receiving the payments in several installments, the suspect severed communication with the victim entirely.
Franz Popp, the Director of Police in Lower Austria, stated, "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 emphasized the vulnerability of those in emotional or financial distress and urged other potential victims to make themselves known to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation.
The arrest of Mariana M's 29-year-old son, who is currently in custody in Wiener Neustadt, adds further intrigue to this unfolding situation. The police are appealing to the public for any additional victims to come forward as they continue their investigation into this alarming case of fraudulent spiritual practices.
