11 million shaman scam used cursed jewelry in Europe rituals

A 44 year old Austrian woman is wanted by police after posing as a shaman and scamming victims out of more than $11 million in Germany and Austria. Mariana Mijailovic worked with her 19 year old daughter, Anna, approaching wealthy women in Munich, Germany, and Vienna, Austria, with warnings that their jewelry was cursed. Prosecutors say the pair claimed evil spirits caused misfortune, illness, or death. They promised protection through shamanic rituals if the jewelry was handed over for cleansing. Court documents say at least 19 victims were targeted over 10 years. One woman paid $673,734 after believing she was possessed by demons. Another victim paid $65,762 hoping her cancer would disappear. She later died from the illness, according to reports cited by The Telegraph. Police raids in Vienna uncovered 25 kilograms of gold, watches, wedding rings, cash, and 14 cars. A court ordered just over $2 million repaid, ruling the rest could not be proven fraudulent.