Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fortune teller 'scams lovesick man out of $700,000'

The man made multiple payments to the psychic, including for a Rolex watch

Ben Tufft
Sunday 07 June 2015 17:02 BST
Comments
The fortuneteller operated from premises in Times Square
The fortuneteller operated from premises in Times Square (Bob Nygaard)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A man who went to a fortune teller for help in his love life has claimed he was scammed for more than $700,000.

The Brooklyn man, 32, told police he first consulted the New York-based psychic in 2013 who told him evil spirits were keeping him from the woman he said he loved, the New York Times reported.

Priscilla Delmaro, 26, a fortune teller who works from premises on Times Square, and another man, Bobby Evans, 27, now face grand larceny charges.

The fortuneteller Priscilla Delmaro remains in jail
The fortuneteller Priscilla Delmaro remains in jail (Bob Nygaard)

After being told that he and the woman were “twin flames” kept apart by negativity the man made payments the over the next 20 months totalling $713,975.

The multiple payments included $80,000 for an 80-mile bridge, the psychic claimed would trap evil spirits in another realm; $30,000 for a gold Rolex watch, which was meant to cleanse the sins of the past; $40,064 for a Tiffany diamond ring to “protect his energy” and other charges amounting to $40,000.

The man, who has not been identified in court documents, made the payments before discovering Michelle was dead in February 2014, but the psychic claimed she could reincarnate her.

The man then made further payments in order to find the “new” Michelle, before he eventually went to the police.

The unnamed man spent more than 0,000 (Bob Nygaard)
The unnamed man spent more than 0,000 (Bob Nygaard)

He also approached a private investigator, Bob Nygaard, who by coincidence had worked on a previous case involving Ms Delmaro.

“Michelle did share deep affections for the victim, however she was dealing with personal health problems and some family issues,” Mr Nygaard said.

The victim was hoping that Priscilla Delmaro could remove the obstacles that were keeping them apart. Delmaro basically preyed upon the victims desires by selling him false hope.”

The man lost his apartment, sold his car and borrowed $28,000 from family and friends to fund his fortune teller's demands.

Ms Delmaro and Mr Evan were arrested on 26 May and remain in jail. They deny the allegations against them.

Additional reporting by AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in