A 67-year-old Doral woman, Carmen Valdez De Miguel, faces charges of organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and resisting an officer without violence following an alleged scam involving tarot card readings and fraudulent spiritual cleansings, according to an arrest report. Valdez De Miguel, who also used the alias Maria Rodriguez, was arrested at her AMLI 8800 residence on Monday. According to WSVN, the saga began when a man found a flyer on his car on March 11 and contacted the number listed, seeking a tarot card reading for $20.
During their initial meeting at Valdez De Miguel’s apartment on March 13, she allegedly convinced the victim he required a “deeper spiritual cleansing” that would cost between $600 and $700. He agreed and sent her $200 via Zelle. The victim returned on March 14 and during the session, Valdez De Miguel inquired about his bank balance, later proposing to use his $8,000 in a ritual that purportedly would double it, according to an NBC Miami report. The victim, persuaded by the promise, came back on March 19 with $3,000 cash, which Valdez De Miguel placed in a bag with eggs.
As part of the alleged cleansing process, the bag was opened to reveal nothing but broken eggs and worms, with the victim’s money missing. When confronted, Valdez De Miguel appeared startled and promised the return of the funds the next day. When she later refused, claiming the money was tied to the ritual and could not be released until the candles used burned out, the victim contacted police. Upon arrest, the woman resisted detention by attempting to walk away after dropping to the ground and was taken to a hospital after claiming she had a fever, WSVN reported…