Texas couple indicted in psychic scheme that conviced WA woman to send more than $2 million to ‘cleanse curse’

A Texas couple was indicted in an alleged fraud scheme that convinced people going through relationship problems to send money to “cleanse their curses.”

Bridgette Evans, a 47-year-old woman who went by the alias of Jolene Travis, and her husband, 44-year-old Vinnie Uwanawich, allegedly posed as psychics and defrauded emotionally vulnerable victims, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and four counts of mail fraud.

Evans used a fake identity because she had previously been convicted of psychic fraud in Florida and Texas, the attorney’s office noted. During part of the fraud scheme, Evans was incarcerated in Florida, so Evans’ co-conspirators took on the alias to keep the fraud going.

Evans advertised her “psychic services” on social media, with the hope of attracting people who were struggling with romantic or personal problems such as divorce, death of a loved one, or feelings of isolation, authorities reported.

Evans allegedly told the victims she could perform readings and rituals to find out the cause of their misfortune. She told them their “curse” was tied to their money or finances. She would then tell them the only way to remove the curse was to liquidate the holdings and send the money in gold coins or cash so that she could “cleanse” it.

Washington woman defrauded more than $2 million in alleged psychic scheme

One woman, from Washington, sent more than $2.1 million to gold shops in Florida and Washington to purchase gold coins for a “cleansing” following her divorce, according to the indictment.

The woman saw Evans’ social media post and contacted her for help with her love life. Evans told the woman she had a “dark cloud” hanging over her and that she could help the woman get rid of the “bad energy.” Evans also claimed she could communicate with “angels” and that she specialized in helping people cleanse the “bad energy.”

Evans convinced the woman to send more than $83,000 via electronic payments, liquidate financial accounts, and settle her divorce for a lump sum instead of monthly payments. Evans told the woman she would be reunited with her partner if she followed Evans’ instructions.

Second woman sends $86,000 to alleged psychic scheme

A second woman fell for Evans’ alleged scheme and sent $86,000 in electronic payments for “cleansing work.”

Evans told the woman her former romantic partner was being scammed financially by an evil new partner. Evans said the “bad energy” from the evil partner put a “curse on her.”

She convinced the woman to send her payments through Zelle, Apple Cash, wire transfer, and Cash App.

Third woman allegedly defrauded $258,000

A third victim, according to the attorney’s office, was defrauded of more than $258,000 when Evans convinced her to take out loans to buy a Corvette to be delivered to Evans and to give Evans access to her credit cards to pay off the victim’s “karmic debts.”

Evans said the “angels” told her the woman needed to complete a “financial cleansing” to clear her debt because the debt was tied to money. Evans said the woman needed to transfer money or items of value to her as a “temporary sacrifice” and that her problems would be resolved after the “cleansing.”

Evans and Uwanawich stole at least $2.5 million from at least three victims between April 2021 and July 2024, the attorney’s office reported. Evans reportedly told the victims she would return the coins to them, and while she returned some small amounts to lure them into trusting her, she never returned the vast majority of the $2.5 million.

Uwanawich allegedly facilitated her fraud by managing bank accounts that received payments from victims, selling gold coins, transferring and spending fraud proceeds, and vouching for Evans.

“As alleged in the indictment, these perpetrators of ‘fortune teller fraud’ came into the lives of these victims at a time when their judgment was clouded by emotional loss and feelings of hopelessness,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Floyd stated. “Ms. Evans preyed upon their needs, convincing victims that she could ‘remove a curse’ and help them find love. In truth, her scheme was simply to help herself to their wealth, leaving them further devastated.”

Evans also went under the names Joy John and Joy Paige. The FBI is still investigating, and encourages anyone who thinks they may have been a victim to report the crime here.

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