A Smithville "psychic" told a Waretown man she was the only one who could remove eight evil spirits from his life.
But instead, police say, she and her son were just trying to bilk him out of thousands.
The senior citizen went to Galloway Township police Aug. 15, to tell them he thought he was being scammed.
He told them he had been visiting "Kim" at her business, Village Psychic, where she offered treatments to cleanse his soul and allow him to live in peace.
Police say Kim — whose real name is Sally Wando — used information she learned about the unnamed man's unpleasant childhood to make him believe she could bring relief — at a steep price.
The first visit was $5,000. As the visits continued, Wando recommended a
14-step Chakra program — at $10,500 per step.
She told him there would be further torment in this life and the afterlife if he did not complete these steps.
When he finally agreed, Wando gave him instructions to transfer $147,700 from his checking account to her son Frank Marco’s car business, Frank’s Classic Carz in Ventnor.
Wando warned the man to tell no one, or more evil spirits would come. He was to tell the bank that he was buying a car.
Both Wando and Marco insisted to police during interviews that the money was for a vehicle. But further investigation could find nothing to back up their claims.
Wando, 49, of Galloway and Marco, 24 Ventnor, were arrested Friday by Detective Jason Kiamos, and charged with second-degree theft by deception and third-degree conspiracy to commit theft. Both were released on summonses pending their court date.
Anyone with additional information regarding this incident or related incidents involving these individuals is asked to contact Kiamos at 609-652-3705, ext. 325 or through an anonymous tip on the department's
Facebook page and/or
Twitter account.
