Overview
- Federal prosecutors arrested and federally indicted Bridgette Doreen Evans and Vinnie John Uwanawich this week on charges of conspiracy and multiple counts of wire and mail fraud.
- Authorities say the pair posed as psychics who told emotionally vulnerable clients they were cursed and convinced them to liquidate assets and send cash or gold for costly 'cleansings.'
- Prosecutors allege the scheme ran from April 2021 through July 2024 and took at least $2.5 million from at least three victims, including one Washington state victim who reportedly sent more than $2 million.
- Court filings say Evans used multiple aliases and had prior convictions for similar psychic frauds while Uwanawich managed accounts, sold gold coins and moved the proceeds; both face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
- The FBI is investigating and asking possible victims to file complaints at IC3.gov, and officials warn that these scams target people during grief or major life changes and often use untraceable payments to avoid detection.