A Milton woman has been arrested and charged with extortion, fraud over $5000 and witchcraft – fortune telling.

According to Halton Regional Regional Police, a lengthy criminal investigation began in May of this year when a victim came forward to reveal that they had consulted with a psychic and had been defrauded of an amount totalling over $60,000.

Police say they then learned that the accused was operating an Ontario registered business known as, “Milton Psychic” located on Ontario Street South in the town of Milton.

On October 18, detectives arrested 32-year-old Dorie “Madeena” Stevenson of Milton without incident. Following her arrest, a search warrant was executed on the business and evidence was recovered.

“What we typically see is a tendency for perpetrators to take advantage of persons when they are in their most vulnerable state,” said Detective Sergeant Dave Costantini HRPS 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB).

“Victims are manipulated into believing something bad will happen to them unless they remit cash. We even see incidents where victims are required to make purchases and remit these purchases in order to be cleansed. Purchased items include new cell phones, jewelry, appliances and gift cards. Purchases are made under the assumption these items will be returned, but they never are.

“When victims cannot be squeezed any longer, the perpetrators rely on the victim’s embarrassment in not contacting police.”

Police believe that there may be other victims that have yet to come forward, and are requesting that victims contact Detective Constable Sarah McCullagh of the 1 District CIB at 905-825-4747 ext. 2419.

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