A Florida woman was arrested after she allegedly scammed a man out of thousands of dollars during a fake tarot card reading and "spiritual cleansing." Carmen Valdez De Miguel, 67, was taken into custody on Monday and faces charges of organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and resisting an officer without violence, according to an arrest report obtained by WTVJ.
The incident reportedly began on March 11 when the victim found a flyer on his car advertising tarot card readings and called the listed number. He agreed to a $20 session and spoke with a woman who arranged the meeting. Two days later, on March 13, the man visited an apartment and met Valdez De Miguel, who introduced herself as Maria Rodriguez.
During the session, Valdez De Miguel allegedly told the man he needed a “deeper spiritual cleansing procedure,” which would cost between $600 and $700. Trusting her advice, the man paid $200 via Zelle as a partial payment. He returned on March 14 for the pre-paid cleansing session.
During the ritual, Valdez De Miguel allegedly asked the man about his bank balance, and he disclosed he had $8,000 available. She then reportedly told him to bring the full amount next time, promising that if she used the money in a ritual, it would double and be returned the same day.
On March 19, the man brought $3,000 in cash to the apartment. Valdez De Miguel placed the money in a bag with eggs, but after the ritual, the bag was reportedly opened to reveal only broken eggs and worms. When the man asked for his money back, Valdez De Miguel claimed she couldn’t return it due to her “state of mind” but assured him it would be returned the next day.
The man made repeated attempts to contact her, but she refused to refund the money, claiming the funds were part of a ritual and could not be released until the candles burned out on their own.
Valdez De Miguel was arrested on Monday. Officers offered her the chance to return the money upon her arrest, but she denied knowing the man. She also allegedly resisted arrest and used a fake name during the booking process. Investigators discovered she had three outstanding warrants for separate theft cases.
During her court appearance on Tuesday, Judge Mindy Glazer set her bond at $5,500 and commented on the unusual nature of the case. “OK, I had a chance to review this very interesting arrest affidavit, which also makes one realize you should never respond to a flyer left on your vehicle for tarot card readings ’cause you don’t know what’s gonna happen, especially when you’re asked to bring $3,000 in cash, put the money in a bag with some eggs,” Glazer said. “This is bizarre.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Doral Police Department for comment but has not yet received a response.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected].
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