Defrauded of €400,000 by fake tarot reader: "If someone told me my story, I would say it was a lie"
A woman lost €400,000 to a couple of fraudsters based in Brazil who presented themselves as a tarot reader on social media. The couple was detained in Porto in October by the Judicial Police.
Victim of esoteric fraud lost €400,000 during months of emotional manipulation
A woman identified only as Vitória — a fictitious name — was defrauded of €400,000 by an alleged tarot reader who contacted her through Instagram. In an interview with CNN Portugal, Vitória describes how a period of emotional fragility and loneliness made her vulnerable to a prolonged scheme of financial manipulation. "If someone told me my story, I would say it was a lie," she states.
The case became public in early October, when the Judicial Police announced the arrest of a Brazilian couple in Porto. The couple lived in Brazil and travelled to Portugal for short periods. The woman, referred to as Dora — also a fictitious name — promoted esoteric services on social media and on a website, presenting herself as a tarot reader with special powers.
From Instagram to WhatsApp
Vitória met Dora through Instagram. After one or two conversations on the platform, communication moved to WhatsApp, with messages, phone calls and video calls. Dora presented herself as "friendly and trustworthy" and spoke about her alleged spiritual powers.
The connection began in January and continued until Dora and her husband's arrest in Porto in October. The promise was always the same: to return the money sent by Vitória, which needed to "be blessed" and "go through a process". At first, the smaller amounts were indeed returned, creating an appearance of legitimacy. Over time, the requests increased — from bank transfers they moved to demands for cash — the returns were delayed and the justifications varied, often involving new "work" that needed to be carried out under pain of "personal and emotional consequences".
Vitória has no doubt that the strategy was deliberate. "The intention was to confuse her," she says, so that she would "lose track of the money she had given".
The moment of suspicion
The turning point occurred during a visit to Porto. "She said she was going to return everything to me and we went to an apartment. She said it was her apartment," Vitória recalls. When she entered the bathroom, she found no toothpaste, shampoo or any personal item. "There was nothing to indicate that she was living there." Shortly after, Dora asked for more money. "That's when I understood: 'this can't be right'."
She then followed the advice of a lawyer, Núbia Alves, who accompanied her through the process. Maintaining the conversation with Dora was difficult, but it was necessary to ensure that she returned to Portugal to be arrested by the authorities.
Fragility as a gateway
Vitória describes the period when it all began as "a terrible time". Accustomed to managing people and maintaining control in her professional activity — which she prefers not to disclose — it is still difficult for her to explain what happened. "Because I was in a situation of loss, anyone who knows me... This has nothing to do with me," she confides.
Loneliness was decisive. Vitória recalls her mother's death as another difficult phase of her life, but at that time she had her ex-husband, her daughters and friends nearby. This time, "it was a time when I had no one". She admits to some "shame", because she has always considered herself a careful person — she even prevented one of her employees from being deceived in an attempt at fraudulent credit.
She also mentions a previous experience with esoteric services, more than ten years ago, motivated by a serious illness. On that occasion, "the person was honest": when Vitória asked how much she owed, the answer was "give what you want, if you want". For Vitória, that was "a miracle". The positive experience may have contributed to the confidence she placed in Dora.
Arrest and criminal history
The couple was arrested by the Judicial Police in Porto in October, with the collaboration of Brazilian authorities. According to the PJ, they displayed on social media "a highly luxurious lifestyle" associated with "clear signs of wealth". The woman had previously been arrested in Brazil in 2015 on suspicion of crimes of the same nature, without having gone to trial.
Both remain in preventive detention. Dora's mother is also expected to be constituted as a defendant, since part of Vitória's funds passed through her accounts. The authorities have also identified bank accounts of the couple in several countries.
"It is in God's hands"
Lawyer Núbia Alves, who represents Vitória, described her client's state to CNN Portugal when she sought her out: "confused, clearly depressed and very afraid of facing reality". Alves did not reveal details of the ongoing investigation.
As for the possibility of recovering the €400,000, Vitória is laconic: "It is in God's hands. I have a lot of faith."
Source: CNN Portugal