Arrest of a 53-Year-Old Woman for Fraud and Extortion in a Purification Ritual Scam

A woman, who had recently ended a relationship with her boyfriend, was persuaded to hand over a sum of 490 euros in cash and various items worth a total of 4,800 euros. She was convinced by another woman that this delivery would act as a sort of "purification ritual". Thus, a 53-year-old woman from Quarto was arrested by the Carabinieri following an order issued by the GIP of the North Naples court upon request from the local Prosecutor's Office, which coordinated the investigation. The incident took place in Varcaturo. The 53-year-old had come into contact with a woman who had recently separated from her boyfriend and, presenting herself as a psychic, made her believe she was filled with negativity. In exchange for a purification ritual, the woman handed over money and various items to the psychic. When the victim realized she had been deceived, she asked for the return of what she had handed over but - according to investigators - was threatened with death and retaliation. The psychic, having learned that a complaint had been filed, filed a counterclaim alleging defamation. The 53-year-old is suspected of aggravated fraud, attempted extortion, and slander.