A Frisco couple faces federal charges after prosecutors alleged they ran a psychic fraud scheme that collected more than $2.5 million from victims between 2021 and 2024 through false claims about “curse cleansing” and spiritual rituals.
Federal prosecutors said Bridgette Doreen Evans, 47, and Vinnie John Uwanawich, 44, of Frisco, Texas, defrauded at least three victims by claiming Evans could perform psychic readings and remove supernatural curses in exchange for money and valuables. Prosecutors filed a federal indictment in the Eastern District of Texas and allege the scheme operated from 2021 to 2024 and targeted individuals experiencing personal hardship.
According to court documents, Evans used the alias Jolene Travis to promote psychic services online and offered free “love readings” to attract clients. Prosecutors alleged she told victims their personal and financial problems resulted from curses or negative energy that required paid cleansing rituals to resolve.
Prosecutors said Evans instructed victims to transfer money, gold, jewelry, and other assets under the promise that the items would be returned after the rituals were completed. The indictment stated that Evans told one victim to purchase gold coins valued at more than $2.1 million for cleansing ceremonies and later directed the victim to sell her home to finance additional purchases.
Court documents allege that Evans extended the scheme when victims requested repayment by claiming the cleansing process remained incomplete or required additional payments.
Federal prosecutors said Uwanawich assisted the operation by managing financial accounts, collecting proceeds, and selling gold obtained from victims. Prosecutors alleged that more than $119,000 from accounts tied to the operation was transferred into Uwanawich’s personal bank accounts.
Authorities said at least three victims lost more than $2.5 million combined. One victim allegedly transferred more than $86,000 through electronic payment platforms, while another victim provided access to credit card accounts used for purchases of luxury goods, travel, and gold coins.
The U.S. Department of Justice said investigators arrested Evans and Uwanawich this week. Both appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Prosecutors charged both defendants with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud and mail fraud. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.