Brazilian fake tarot reader arrested for defrauding Argentine football player

In Argentina, a Brazilian woman was arrested on suspicion of presenting herself as a tarot reader to scam millionaires to clients who wanted to “lock out” their love, professional or spiritual life. The investigation against Monique Atanazio began after a football player in the country said she lost $70,000 (approximately R$370,000 at current exchange rates) after the woman promised “purification from bad energy”.

As reported by local website InfoBae, Monique’s arrest was announced yesterday by Argentina’s Federal Police Anti-Fraud Unit. After receiving the money from the Argentine athlete, Monique supposedly disappeared without doing the job, which prompted her to call the authorities.

When the security cameras in the area where the fake tarologist made her appointments were examined, it was seen that she left the house in a luxury car accompanied by her boyfriend. Argentine police then began an intense search for the couple at three different addresses in Buenos Aires.

In the first, agents found personal documents of the suspects, a mobile phone, keys to a Mercedes Benz car, business cards from a fake tarot reader, and cash containing pesos and real banknotes. The property owner reported that Monique and her boyfriend broke up a few days ago, even though the items were left behind.

In a second home attached to the couple, police found other documents belonging to the suspect’s wife, but with no trace of either of them. According to InfoBae, the Brazilian was arrested at the third address that was only being investigated and was surprised when he got home.

Two cars were also seized at the scene, a BMW with Brazilian license plate and a BMW 135I with Argentine plate. Monique and the items seized in her home must be taken to Santa Fe, where the football player filed a complaint against her.