Austrian police are on the lookout for a suspect identified as "Mariana M," a 44-year-old woman accused of posing as a shaman to scam victims out of large amounts of cash. An arrest warrant has been issued for her after authorities discovered over €10 million (approximately £8.3 million) in cash, jewelry, and gold at her residence in Mödling, a suburb of Vienna.
Mariana, who operated under the name Amela, is believed to have tricked individuals in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. One victim reported that the so-called shaman claimed a relative was cursed and would die unless she paid €730,000 for supposed cleansing rituals. After receiving the funds in several installments, Mariana cut off contact, with another supposed victim later claiming the "shaman" had lapsed into a coma due to the ritual.
Director of Police in Lower Austria, Franz Popp, expressed concerns about fraudsters exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking support. In light of these events, authorities are urging anyone else who may have fallen victim to reach out to the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation for help.
