CRIME

Naples police search for woman accused in witchcraft, spiritual services scam

Kaitlin Greenockle
Naples Daily News

Naples Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying a woman accused of scamming people out of money by providing spiritual and witchcraft services.

On March 14, police received reports of a female subject providing these services, and so far 10 victims have come forward saying they have been deprived of large amounts of money, according to a Naples Police news release.

Naples Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the female subject in composite sketches believed to have scammed people out of money by providing spiritual and witchcraft services.

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The total amount of money lost is about $100,000.

According to incident reports filed with Naples Police Department, one victim stated he saw a flyer at a 24-hour laundromat on Garden Gate Parkway that read, "100% guarantee" and "if you're having problems with your wife/girlfriend, she can help you with your problems."

The victim called the number on the flyer and spoke with a "Rosalia," and scheduled an appointment with her at 900 6th Ave. S Suite 201.

During the appointment, "Rosalia" pulled out Tarot cards and said she saw something "dark" in the victim's life. She instructed him to sleep with three eggs under his bed and then bring them to her. 

When the victim brought the eggs back the next day, she opened each egg. One contained blood, another needles and the third worms.

"Rosalia" told the victim to bring her all of his money and to borrow money from friends so that she could bless the cash and it would double, or even triple. The victim did so, but "Rosalia" said she saw a darkness in the money and she would have to take the money to cleanse in her temple in Fort Myers, the report said.

The victim never saw his money or "Rosalia" again. This victim had also borrowed money from his brother, making the total amount he gave her $29,500.

Other victims had similar experiences with "Rosalia." One losing $11,435, another $8,000 and another losing $10,000, the report states.

Police located the building owner's contact information and the owner told police Suite 201 is leased to a Bruno Soza for a business that sells religious artifacts. The lease is for a year, and Soza has been renting it for two months.

The owner told police he has never met "Rosalia," but she is at the suite more often than Soza.

Someone had placed ads in free Hispanic newspapers, on local Hispanic radio stations and in laundromats and stores in the Golden Gate and East Naples area, the release states.

Naples Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the female subject in composite sketches believed to have scammed people out of money by providing spiritual and witchcraft services.

The ads were published in December 2020. The in-person scam began in January and ended in March.

Victims describe the female subject as a Spanish speaker with an accent, 5-feet-2-inches, medium build, blond hair with dark roots and light brown eyes.

Naples Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the female subject in composite sketches believed to have scammed people out of money by providing spiritual and witchcraft services.

Anyone who can identify this subject in the composite sketches is asked to contact the Naples Police Department at 239-213-4844.

To remain anonymous and eligible for a cash reward, contact crime stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS, on the mobile app or at southwestfloridacrimestoppers.com.