Druids, money, and sacred rubies, this French psychic mail scheme tricked thousands of elderly people out of millions of dollars
Well, there was no check for $7,800, there was no psychic-summoned $31,790.00, and no, there was no sacred ruby owned by Indian royalty, either.The letters were sent by three French residents running an international psychic mailscheme in which tens of thousands of people were duped into forking over millions of dollars with the expectation that they would receive good fortune and various riches in return. The scheme was stymied by the U.S.
The complaint alleges that Robert Lhez, Mireille Dayer, and Julie Poulleau sent hundreds of thousands of mailers across the United States. The letters would purport to be from individuals with psychic powers. The alluring woman with the subtle, knowing smile, for instance, was Laura Vivian, the “Star of Distance Clairvoyance.” To burnish Vivian’s bonafides for those who might have been skeptical, the fraudsters noted that she offered the “Best Predictions of the Year” for 2016 and 2017.
Vivian promised a $7,800 check if the recipient replied with urgency, with time sensitivity being a hallmark of the solicitations, as is the sense that the reader has been cosmically selected to receive the good fortune being offered. Those who paid the $45 requested did not receive a check, of course, but when the letter promised a valuable talisman, like the ruby, the faux-Led by Lhez, according to the DOJ, the fraudsters had been operating since as early as 2012.
If you’re wondering who these tens of thousands of people who fell victim to what seems like an obvious scam were, they were primarily the elderly. Seniors are ripe targets for scam artists, withto some type of confidence scheme every year, according to the FBI. “Beyond financial losses, predatory fraud schemes like this one lead to immense emotional suffering for victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida. “We urge the public to question promotions that seem too good to be true and immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Taiwan will ensure regional peace, president tells French senatorsTaiwan will continue to play its role as a member of the international community and ensure regional peace and stability, President Tsai Ing-wen told a visiting delegation of French senators on Thursday amid escalating tensions with China.
Read more »
Australia welcoming back French ambassador after sub spatCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Prime Minister Scott Morrison welcomed France’s decision to return its ambassador to Australia and said Thursday the bilateral relationship was bigger than the canceled submarine contract.
Read more »
French Talent Finds Strong Footing in Diverse SeriesWhile France has a deep-entrenched cinema tradition, drama series have been gaining tremendous ground within the country’s cultural landscape within the past few years, with some of the country’s b…
Read more »
Melinda French Gates Launches Women-Focused Book ImprintI’m a San Francisco-based reporter covering wealth at Forbes. Follow me on Twitter rachsandl or shoot me an email rsandlerforbes.com.
Read more »
Obituary: Bernard Tapie, a colourful and controversial French businessmanAs urban-affairs minister he would head into the banlieues, and shout at those who watched him from behind closed windows. “Come on down. And I’ll tell you what the plan is”
Read more »
Dawn French flaunts grey hairdo after likening herself The Chase's Anne HegertyThe Vicar of Dibley star Dawn French shared selfies in which she displayed her new grey cropped hairdo, including one showing her friend Joy Carroll who inspired the series
Read more »