A Washington victim sent more than $2 million after a woman advertising psychic services allegedly claimed a curse was tied to the victim’s money, relationships, and financial problems.
Federal prosecutors said Bridgette Doreen Evans, also known as Jolene Travis, promised the money would be “cleansed” and returned. Instead, the Justice Department says Evans and her partner, Vinnie John Uwanawich, took at least $2.5 million from at least three victims between April 2021 and July 2024.
Evans, 47, and Uwanawich, 44, both of Frisco, Texas, were arrested this week after a federal indictment in the Western District of Washington charged them with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and four counts of mail fraud.
The alleged scheme targeted people dealing with grief, divorce, isolation, depression, or relationship trouble, prosecutors said. The pitch was simple and devastating: the victim’s problems were caused by a curse, and the curse could be removed only if money, gold, jewelry, or other assets were sent for cleansing.
The Fake Psychic Said the Money Needed to Be Cleansed
Evans used the name Jolene Travis on social media to advertise psychic services, according to prosecutors. The indictment says she told victims she could perform readings, communicate with angels, identify bad energy, and remove curses tied to money or finances.
After gaining a victim’s trust, Evans allegedly asked for a detailed list of financial holdings and then claimed the assets themselves were part of the curse. Prosecutors said victims were told to liquidate accounts or send property so Evans could place the money, gold, or valuables on an altar and cleanse them.
Uwanawich allegedly helped by managing bank accounts that received victim payments, selling gold coins, transferring and spending proceeds, and vouching for Evans with victims.
Gold Coins, a Home Sale, and Divorce Money Became Part of the Alleged Scheme
The largest loss described by prosecutors involved a Washington state victim who sent more than $2 million for supposed cleansing work. The indictment says the victim was persuaded to liquidate financial accounts that Evans claimed were cursed and wire more than $2.1 million to gold shops in Florida and Washington.
Prosecutors said the victim was then directed to mail or personally deliver gold coins so they could be placed on Evans’ altar. The indictment also alleges Evans convinced the same victim to sell a home and use the proceeds to buy more gold coins for the supposed cleansing.
The divorce itself became part of the pitch, prosecutors said. Evans allegedly convinced the victim to accept a lump-sum divorce settlement instead of monthly alimony after claiming the divorce proceedings and money tied to the divorce carried bad energy.
Other Victims Were Allegedly Pushed Into Payments and a Corvette
Prosecutors said a second victim sent more than $86,000 through Zelle, Apple Cash, wire transfer, and Cash App for Evans’ supposed cleansing work.
A third victim was allegedly told that charges on the victim’s credit-card accounts would help pay off “karmic debts.” Prosecutors said those accounts were then used for luxury goods, hotel stays, vacation rentals, airline flights, gold coins, jewelry, and other items of value.
The indictment also says Evans convinced that victim to take out a loan of more than $100,000 to pay for a $125,000 Chevrolet Corvette that was delivered to Evans in Florida for the supposed cleansing ceremony.
When victims asked for money back, prosecutors said Evans, Uwanawich, and co-conspirators used more promises and occasional small repayments to keep them waiting. The indictment says those lulling payments totaled less than about 6% of what Evans and Uwanawich had collected.
The Jolene Travis Name Allegedly Hid Prior Fraud Convictions
Prosecutors said Evans used the Jolene Travis identity partly because she had prior psychic-fraud convictions in Florida and Texas.
The indictment says Evans pleaded guilty in a separate Florida psychic-fraud case on Dec. 8, 2023, and was sentenced to custody. Prosecutors allege the scheme continued while she was incarcerated, with one or more co-conspirators using the Jolene Travis identity to keep communicating with victims.
Victims were allegedly told that “Jolene” was in isolation, at the altar, or with angels working on their protection. By at least April 2024, prosecutors said two victims had found information about Evans’ true identity and prior frauds.
The Pair Faces Federal Fraud Charges
CBS Texas reported that Evans and Uwanawich made their initial appearance Wednesday in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas.
Conspiracy, wire fraud, and mail fraud are each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, according to DOJ.
The charges are allegations. No conviction has been reported in this case, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The FBI is continuing to investigate. DOJ said anyone who thinks they may be a victim should report it through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.