Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Woman Allegedly Posed As Psychic, Told Victims She Could 'Bless' And Double Their Money Before Running Off With $100K
Perlita Afancio-Balles, known to her alleged victims as "Eva Maria," is now wanted in Sacramento after authorities say she duped her hopeful clients.
Beware psychics who say they can double your money.
That's the message from authorities in Sacramento after a woman portraying herself to be a gifted medium allegedly told victims she could bless and double their money before running off with quite a lot of their cash.
Back in September, Perlita Afancio-Balles, 29, allegedly “represented herself as a psychic and after gaining the victims [sic] trust, promised to ‘bless’ and double any amount of money given to her,” the City of Sacramento said in a Crime Stoppers press release this week. “She told the victims to drop off their money to her and return several days later.”
She was allegedly known to her victims as “Eva Maria,” according to the Sacramento Bee.
The victims returned to Afancio-Balles’ home a few days later, as instructed, but found only disappointment. The self-proclaimed psychic had swiped the cash and taken off, according to authorities.
Investigators believe Afancio-Balles' victims gave her approximately $100,000. The number of alleged victims is not clear.
The Sacramento Police Department now has a warrant for the suspect's arrest for both grand theft and obtaining money by false pretenses. Afancio-Balles has now been added to a “Most Wanted” list by Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers.
The suspect is described as a 29-year-old Hispanic woman, who stands at 5 foot 4 inches and weighs 120 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.
Anybody with information is urged to call 1-800-AA-CRIME or 916-443-HELP or to visit www.sacvalleycrimestoppers.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they wish.
