The two women claimed to cure illnesses and envy with their supernatural powers. They were acquitted because the alleged victims never filed a complaint directly.
The Penafiel Court decided to release two women who had been in pre-trial detention since mid-2024, as part of a process that investigated alleged scams related to witchcraft practices. According to the , at issue was the appropriation of around 275 thousand euros, obtained from dozens of people who believed in the supposed powers of the main defendant, Maria A.
In the decision, the panel of judges understood that the crime of fraud was not provenhighlighting that all the people who handed over money or goods previously believed in supernatural powers and attributed the ability to communicate with spirits to the defendant.
According to the court, Maria A. had no need to persuade or deceive people about her alleged gifts, since the belief existed before the contact. It was also established that the amounts paid corresponded to services provided, no initial refund promiseand that none of the people involved expressed doubts or filed complaints during the period in which they made the payments.
Another determining factor in the acquittal of the two women and five other defendants from the same family group was the lack of criminal complaint presented by the alleged victims, an indispensable legal condition for criminal proceedings in fraud crimes. The case originated from a complaint filed by the son of an elderly woman who considered herself injured.
The investigation, conducted by the GNR, began in 2022 and found that the two main suspects, aunt and niece, residents of a social neighborhood in Santo Tirso, traveled to various areas of the North of the country, especially Vale do Sousa and Minho, begging for alms. During these trips, they announced alleged supernatural powerssuch as mediumship, “open dwellings” and spiritual cures for evils such as the evil eye, envy or serious illnesses.
The amounts delivered were high and, added together, reached 275 thousand euros. The GNR concluded that the suspects, with no known professional activity, had a comfortable lifestyle and were building houses. In 2024, the two women were detained and, during searches, precious metals, some money and weapons were seized. The Public Prosecutor’s Office also ordered the seizure of assets considered incongruous.
Despite the acquittal for fraud and money laundering, the two main defendants were convicted of crimes of theft and coercionreceiving suspended sentences and fines. The Public Ministry announced that it will appeal the decision, while the defense considered that “justice was done”.
