Convicted Scammer, Accused 'Psychic' and Irish Heiress Imposter Faces Extradition to UK

Image: (Johnathan Walton - AP)

By Jon Donnis

A woman accused of orchestrating a multi-state scam under the guise of an Irish heiress and purported psychic abilities is slated for a crucial court appearance on Wednesday. Marianne Smyth, a 54-year-old American, faces potential extradition to the United Kingdom where she is alleged to have defrauded victims of over $170,000 between 2008 and 2010.

Smyth's saga took a new turn after her arrest in February in Maine, following years of eluding authorities. Her legal woes trace back to accusations of pilfering funds promised for investments and fraudulent real estate transactions in Northern Ireland. Legal documents reveal that arrest warrants were issued in 2021, leading to her eventual apprehension earlier this year. Currently detained at Piscataquis County Jail in Dover-Foxcroft, Smyth awaits her fate as legal proceedings unfold.

Represented by attorney Kaylee Folster, Smyth maintains her innocence, prompting a call for a hearing to address the charges against her. Neither Smyth nor her legal counsel offered comments regarding the ongoing case.

Echoing the infamous tale of Anna Sorokin, better known as the "Soho Grifter," Smyth's alleged deception entangled unsuspecting individuals across the United States. Notable among her victims is Johnathan Walton, who, spurred by his own experience, initiated the "Queen of the Con" podcast to alert others about Smyth's fraudulent activities. Smyth's modus operandi allegedly involved exploiting vulnerabilities and fabricating elaborate narratives to dupe her victims into parting with substantial sums of money.

Listen to Episode one on iTunes at https://apple.co/3JjDG0u

The podcast, "Queen of the Con," has served as a platform for numerous victims to share their encounters with Smyth, unveiling a pattern of deceit that spans from coast to coast. Heather Sladinski, a costume designer from Los Angeles, recounts being swindled out of $20,000 for purported psychic readings and dubious life coaching sessions. Smyth's repertoire allegedly included outlandish rituals and promises, leaving her victims disillusioned and financially depleted.

Smyth's purported aliases and chameleon-like behavior, coupled with her extravagant claims, have left a trail of devastation in her wake. From feigned associations with celebrities to fabricating charitable endeavors, Smyth's web of lies ensnared individuals from all walks of life.

As Smyth's extradition hearing looms, the prospect of justice for her alleged victims draws nearer. Yet, the enduring legacy of her deceit serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of misplaced trust and the allure of grandiose promises.

Season 1: The Irish Heiress

Marianne "Mair" Smyth is a new neighbor from Ireland with a $30 million inheritance coming to her any day. She's dating a  Los Angeles politician and working as a psychic for A-list celebrities like Jennifer Aniston.  But in reality, she's a professional con artist using witchcraft, confidence tricks and dating apps to scam hundreds of thousands from dozens of unsuspecting victims all over the world.   And that's only the beginning...   # queen of the con mair smyth marianne smyth

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

For bonus content follow on Instagram @QueenOfTheCon

Canadian Man Sentenced to 10 Years for $175M Psychic Mass-Mailing Fraud Scheme

Image: (Patrice Runner Source: CNN)

By Jon Donnis

Scheme Defrauded Over 1.3 Million Victims in the United States

In a significant legal development, a Canadian man, Patrice Runner, 57, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for orchestrating a massive psychic mass-mailing fraud scheme that pilfered over $175 million from more than 1.3 million victims in the United States. The sentencing, which took place Monday, April 15th, 2024 in the Eastern District of New York, follows a two-week trial that ended with Runner's conviction in June 2023.

Runner, a Canadian and French citizen, was found guilty of several charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, as well as multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud. The scheme, operational from 1994 to November 2014, preyed on vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, through a barrage of personalized letters purportedly from well-known "psychics" Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin. These letters promised recipients wealth and happiness in exchange for a fee.

Despite the personalized nature of the letters, investigations revealed that they were essentially identical form letters sent en masse to tens of thousands of victims weekly. Runner, along with his accomplices, obtained names of susceptible victims by trading mailing lists with other fraudulent schemes. Contrary to the promises made in the letters, neither Duval nor Guerin were involved in sending them, nor did they receive responses or send additional letters after victims made payments.

Runner managed the entire operation throughout its two-decade span, directing his co-conspirators who operated the scheme through a Canadian company. To conceal his involvement, Runner utilized a network of shell companies registered in Canada and Hong Kong while residing in various foreign countries.

Spanish authorities facilitated Runner's extradition to the United States in December 2020, leading to his federal charges and subsequent conviction.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton emphasized the collaborative effort involved in bringing Runner to justice, acknowledging the assistance provided by various international agencies and the Canadian Competition Bureau.

Inspector in Charge Chris Nielsen of the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Philadelphia Division condemned Runner's actions, highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable Americans and affirming the commitment of Postal Inspectors to combat such predatory schemes.

Four other co-conspirators, Maria Thanos, Philip Lett, Sherry Gore, and Daniel Arnold, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud in connection with the scheme.

The investigation was led by USPIS, with prosecution handled by the Civil Division's Consumer Protection Branch. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs played a crucial role in securing Runner's extradition.

The US Department of Justice issued a warning to the public, urging vigilance against fraudulent schemes, particularly those involving psychic, lottery, prize notification, and sweepstakes scams. Individuals who suspect elder fraud are encouraged to contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline for assistance and support.

For more information and resources on combating elder fraud, individuals are directed to visit the Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative webpage and the Consumer Protection Branch's enforcement efforts page.

Elder fraud complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. (United States Only)

The sentencing of Patrice Runner marks a significant milestone in the fight against transnational fraud, underscoring the commitment of law enforcement agencies to safeguarding vulnerable individuals from financial exploitation.

Mayor of Agde Arrested for Corruption Scheme Involving Clairvoyant

Image: (Gilles d'Ettore, Mayor of Agde - Twitter)

By Jon Donnis

The idyllic town of Agde, nestled in the picturesque southern region of France, has found itself embroiled in a scandal that sounds straight out of a mystery novel. Gilles d'Ettore, the mayor of Agde, was arrested and accused of corruption after falling prey to a bizarre scheme orchestrated by a local self-proclaimed clairvoyant.

The shocking revelation came to light when authorities uncovered a web of deceit spun by a 44-year-old woman who purported to possess supernatural abilities. Describing herself as a clairvoyant, medium, and healer, she allegedly manipulated her voice to mimic that of a "supernatural force" during phone calls to Mayor d'Ettore and several other prominent individuals in the community.

According to reports from the Béziers prosecutor's office, Mayor d'Ettore, along with some of his family members and close friends, received calls from the woman, during which she used a masculine-sounding, calm, and husky voice to create an illusion of communicating with a supernatural entity. This ruse led Mayor d'Ettore to believe in her purported abilities, ultimately resulting in him granting her numerous favours.

One of the favours included hiring five members of the woman's family and close acquaintances to work for him, with her husband securing a position as the technical service director at the Agde mairie (city hall of Agde). The mayor's trust in the clairvoyant was so profound that he considered her to be like a daughter until evidence shattered the illusion.

The unraveling of the scheme began when investigators presented Mayor d'Ettore with a video demonstrating the woman's voice manipulation tactics. It was at this moment that the mayor realized he had fallen victim to a well-orchestrated scam. Despite acknowledging his gullibility, Mayor d'Ettore has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

The fallout from this scandal has not been limited to Mayor d'Ettore alone. The clairvoyant, along with her husband, who holds a significant position within the Agde mairie, have also been implicated in the corruption probe. Both individuals have been detained and questioned, facing allegations of deliberate deception and corruption.

The investigation into this intricate web of deceit began in October 2023 and has since escalated, with the Béziers public prosecutor's office initiating criminal proceedings against multiple parties. As the investigation continues to unfold, the scandal has cast a shadow over the tranquil town of Agde, leaving its residents bewildered by the extraordinary turn of events.

Self Proclaimed "Ex-CIA" Psychic Major Ed Dames Claims on Missing Toddler's Discovery Challenged

Image: (Major Ed Dames - Amazon)

By Jon Donnis

In a case that has gripped France, the discovery of the remains of missing toddler Emile Soleil has taken a perplexing turn, with doubts now cast upon the claims made by Major Ed Dames, a former CIA psychic. Emile Soleil, a two-year-old who vanished without a trace from the French Alpine hamlet of Le Vernet last July, saw an unexpected breakthrough this Easter weekend when his remains were unearthed in a field, reigniting speculation and prompting a reexamination of the investigation.

French toddler Emile Soleil

Major Ed Dames, 74, emerged into the spotlight after asserting that he identified the location where Emile Soleil's body was found using a clairvoyant technique known as "remote viewing." Dames, who claims he was part of a clandestine US espionage project that later inspired the movie "The Men Who Stare At Goats," claims to have honed his psychic detective skills during his tenure with the joint CIA and Army Psychic Intelligence Unit.

Often when there is a missing child, psychics will come forward and make various claims, often without real evidence, usually as a way to gain attention for themselves.

Make sure to read Flim-Flam!: Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions by James Randi - https://amzn.to/3U0VdAz as a way to educate yourself on all such maters.

According to reports, Dames sent emails to local authorities in December pinpointing the area where he believed the toddler's remains would be found. However, questions have emerged regarding the reliability and veracity of his claims, particularly in light of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Emile's remains.

The revelation that Emile's bones were found in a field that had previously been searched by law enforcement shortly after his disappearance raises suspicions about the timing and manner of their placement. Mayor François Balique of Le Vernet speculated that the remains may have been moved back to the site, a theory supported by sources close to the investigation.

The discovery of only a single part of the body, the skull, further complicates the matter and raises doubts about the possibility of natural causes such as animal interference. While drones and sniffer dogs scour the countryside for additional evidence, investigators are faced with the daunting task of unraveling the mystery surrounding Emile Soleil's disappearance and death.

Despite the claims made by Major Ed Dames, skepticism persists regarding the efficacy of remote viewing and psychic abilities in solving criminal cases. The history of "remote viewing" traces back to various government initiatives, including the CIA's Stargate Project, which aimed to investigate the potential applications of extrasensory perception for intelligence gathering.

However, critics argue that the scientific basis for remote viewing remains dubious at best, with many attributing perceived successes to chance or selective interpretation of data. Rational explanations, such as cognitive biases and subconscious cues, offer alternative perspectives on seemingly inexplicable phenomena attributed to psychic abilities.

As the investigation into Emile Soleil's tragic fate continues, the role of psychic detectives like Major Ed Dames raises important questions about the intersection of belief, science, and justice. While some may find solace in unconventional methods, others emphasize the importance of evidence-based approaches in solving complex criminal cases. In the pursuit of truth and justice, discerning fact from fiction remains paramount.

The Charlatan Unveiled: When James Hydrick's Psychic Scam Was Exposed by James Randi

By Jon Donnis

In the murky realm of supernatural claims, few names evoke as much controversy and skepticism as that of James Hydrick. Once hailed as a psychic prodigy with telekinetic powers, Hydrick's purported abilities captured the fascination of the masses in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, his rise to fame was not without its shadows, as doubts and suspicions swirled around the authenticity of his feats. Ultimately, it was the relentless pursuit of truth by skeptic and magician James Randi that unraveled the elaborate deception surrounding Hydrick's supposed supernatural talents.

Hydrick burst into the public eye in the late 1970s, claiming to possess the ability to move objects using only the power of his mind. His demonstrations, which allegedly showcased his telekinetic prowess, captivated audiences and garnered widespread media attention. With each seemingly inexplicable movement of pencils and other small objects, Hydrick cultivated an aura of mystique around himself, drawing in believers and skeptics alike.

However, as the saying goes, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," and Hydrick's claims were no exception. Skeptics soon began to scrutinize his performances, noting inconsistencies and suspicious behavior. Despite Hydrick's attempts to shield his demonstrations from close examination, doubts continued to mount, casting a shadow of doubt over his supposed powers.

Enter James Randi, a renowned skeptic and magician known for his relentless pursuit of exposing frauds and charlatans masquerading as supernatural beings. Randi took a keen interest in Hydrick's case, recognizing it as an opportunity to put his skepticism to the test and uncover the truth behind the mystique.

Randi devised a series of tests designed to eliminate any possibility of trickery or sleight of hand in Hydrick's demonstrations. These tests were conducted under controlled conditions, with Randi and other independent observers closely scrutinizing every aspect of Hydrick's performances.

What ensued was a dramatic confrontation between skeptic and alleged psychic, as Hydrick's abilities crumbled under the weight of scientific scrutiny. Despite his initial bravado, Hydrick faltered under the controlled conditions of Randi's tests, failing to replicate his supposed telekinetic feats under close observation.

As the evidence against him mounted, Hydrick's facade began to unravel, exposing him as nothing more than a skilled manipulator and charlatan. Randi's relentless pursuit of truth had shattered the illusion surrounding Hydrick's supposed powers, laying bare the deception that had captivated the public for so long.

In the aftermath of his exposure, Hydrick faded into obscurity, his once-promising career as a psychic prodigy tarnished by scandal and deceit. The tale of James Hydrick serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of blind faith and the importance of skepticism in the face of extraordinary claims. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of skeptics like James Randi, the truth will always have a way of prevailing in the end.

Watch the videos below from James Randi's Solved Mysteries Workshop.

Part 1

Part 2