Fake Shaman Marijana Mijailović on the Run for 18 Months; Austria Offers €5,000 Reward
Austrian police are searching for 44-year-old Marijana Mijailović, who is alleged to have defrauded victims through fake rituals for approximately ten million euros. A €5,000 reward is being offered for information about her whereabouts.
Shaman Amela and Curses Worth Millions — Austria Offers Reward for Capture
According to Google News SI — Crime, Austrian police have been searching for 44-year-old Marijana Mijailović for over a year and a half as she evades justice following extensive fraud. A €5,000 reward is now being offered for information that could lead to her arrest.
Mijailović became known to clients in Austria, Switzerland and Germany under the alias "shaman Amela". She positioned herself outside pharmacies and medical surgeries, presenting herself to victims as a healer with the power to remove curses and predict the future.
Tactics: Money Extortion, Cleansing Rituals, Coma
She told victims that their loved ones were under the influence of a curse, that they were cursed and faced death. For a "cleansing ritual", she demanded large sums. One victim paid her €730,000 in cash. After this person had settled the debt, they received a call that the "shaman" had fallen into a deep coma during the ritual — and the money was never returned.
According to reports in Austrian media, Mijailović convinced clients that money, jewellery and gold brought them misfortune and illness because they were "cursed". She took cash and jewellery with the promise of cleansing it through ritual and returning it. She never did so.
Most victims had Balkan roots and found themselves in difficult life circumstances — seeking a way out of debt or from being cursed.
Secret Safe, 25 Kilograms of Gold and 14 Classic Cars
In a large-scale police raid last year, officers searched a luxury villa belonging to the family in Mödling, in the industrial zone of Lower Austria, approximately fifteen kilometres south of Vienna. Under the swimming pool they discovered a hidden safe containing 25 kilograms of gold, several million euros in cash, watches of prestigious brands, and stolen medals for special merit.
In a rented garage the family had 14 luxury classic cars, including a gold Mercedes. In the safe, officers also found creams, balms, salves, herbs and other items that police suspect Mijailović used in "treating" victims. According to reports in Austrian media, the entire haul was carefully stored and catalogued — making it clear which item belonged to which defrauded family.
Relatives Convicted, She Still at Large
While Mijailović managed to escape, her closest associates have already been convicted. Her daughter-in-law was sentenced to four years in prison, and her son and ex-husband to three years each — for fraud, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation.
Although the family is believed to have amassed approximately ten million euros in plunder, victims are to receive only around 1.5 million euros in compensation, because the prosecution could not directly link every stolen euro to the criminal organisation.
Marijana Mijailović has also appeared on a list of the most-wanted Europeans. Investigators estimate that she has drastically changed her appearance: she has probably cut and dyed her hair and acquired new clothing. She is almost certainly using forged documents.
Police urge anyone who recognises her or has any information about her to notify them immediately.
Source: Google News SI — Crime (sl)