Thousands of Americans received letters that appeared to come from psychics who had foreseen an unexpected financial windfall. To receive the promised money, the recipients first had to send a payment, according to federal prosecutors.
The Justice Department says the alleged operation collected more than $4 million from thousands of people, many of them elderly or otherwise vulnerable, between September 2016 and November 2020. Prosecutors accuse a former Florida businessman of helping collect those payments and transfer the proceeds to Europe.
Mael Chemla, 61, who previously lived in Aventura, appeared in Miami federal court on November 2, 2026, after being extradited from Germany. The Justice Department announced his return on November 3 and said the indictment had been unsealed the previous day.
Chemla, a U.S., French and Israeli national, faces conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud charges, with a potential maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted. His family disputes prosecutors’ description of his involvement, saying he provided services to a client in France.
Checks Went Into Bank Accounts Opened in the Psychics’ Names
Israeli businessman extradited to US over $4M psychic fortune-telling scam
Extradited from Germany, Mael Chemla, 61, is accused of handling payments from thousands of Americans, many elderly, who were promised riches by fake psych…
https://t.co/XjCEAqEUUM https://t.co/CLToeY0oiG
— Ynet Global (@ynetnews) November 4, 2026
According to the indictment allegations summarized by DOJ, Chemla opened U.S. bank accounts in the names of the purported psychics and deposited checks mailed by the recipients.
He then allegedly wired the funds to European bank accounts controlled by a co-conspirator.
He Was Arrested in Germany Before His Miami Court Appearance
Chemla was arrested in Germany on May 13, 2026, according to Ynet News and a fundraising statement from his family. He remained there while German authorities considered the U.S. extradition request, before his transfer to Miami and November 2 appearance.
The Justice Department said its Office of International Affairs assisted in litigation before the German extradition court and coordinated Chemla’s transfer with the U.S. Marshals Service after extradition was approved. Ynet reported that the federal indictment had been filed in September 2025 and remained sealed until Chemla’s return.
His Family Says He Only Provided Services to a French Client
A GoFundMe appeal for Chemla’s legal defense, established in October, says one of his clients in France faces proceedings involving alleged false claims and misleading advertising. The family maintains that Chemla acted solely as a service provider rather than a participant in the alleged scheme.
What to Do if a Psychic Letter Promises a Windfall for a Fee
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns about psychic solicitations that promise wealth, good fortune or other extraordinary results in exchange for a fee. It recommends checking the full cost of any purported service, watching for hidden or continuing charges, and not sharing financial information with unfamiliar senders.
Anyone who has sent money in response to a suspicious mailing can preserve the letter and payment records and report the suspected mail fraud to postal inspectors. The agency also accepts reports by phone at 1-877-876-2455.