'Witch Doctor' Claiming To Cleanse Money, Scammed Clients

Lakewood police are looking for a woman who allegedly stole nearly $140,000 from clients, claiming she was a "witch doctor" who could cleanse their money, said Lt. Heidi Hoffman of the Lakewood Police Department.

The woman, known as Señora Monica, scammed people all over the Puget Sound area into handing over large sums of cash so she could bless the money and cleanse it of evil, Hoffman said.

She said Monica would often give the money back to the clients, asking for payment for the cleansing.

Investigators believe she established clientele, mostly Spanish speaking, before stockpiling a large amount of money and then disappearing.

Monica and her husband had a business on South Tacoma Way in Lakewood called "Centro de Consultas Espirituales" selling spiritual guidance along with religious items, incense, candles and talents, Hoffman said.

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