Photo: Riverside Police Department / Courtesy
A Hispanic man who was dedicated to telling people his fortune as seer in the city of Riverside , California, was arrested on charges of fraud.
The Riverside Police Department said Andrés Peña Meneses, of 31 years, defrauded multiple people, including a woman who paid him more than $ 50, 000 dollars after the alleged seer told her that she and her family had a curse .
Peña Meneses was booked on suspicion of grand theft and robbery under false pretenses. The “seer” was released by paying a deposit of $ 57, 000 Dollars.
The defendant is originally from Colombia, called himself “Carlos” and operated in the block 3500 of Arlington Avenue at Riverside .
When a woman went to have her fortune read to her, he convinced her that she had parasites in her body , so he paid her money to rid her of them.
“Carlos” contacted the same woman later and explained that she and her family had a curse and that he needed more money to be able to free her and their children. The victim ended up paying him more than $ 50,
dollars according to the police statement .
Peña Meneses had a criminal record, including an arrest in 2019 in Chicago for a similar offense.
In the operation to arrest him this week, the authorities confiscated a significant amount of cash, a doll of “ voodoo “, tarot cards, altars, objects of religious and satanic type, and a small living snake that was used as part of the acts of fraud committed, it was indicated.
In addition, some clients of the alleged seer told the authorities that the suspect had instructed them to bring the mattresses from their beds and that he and his assistants then opened them saying that they had found a snake inside. living entity with diabolical objects and letters that spoke of the danger to their families.
Other clients paid money to be cured of diseases such as diabetes .
Those with information related to the suspect can contact (951) 353 – 7117.