Itinerant Fortune Teller Arrested for Alleged $87,000 Scam
Prison may loom ahead for a transient fortune teller in Manhattan following accusations of defrauding a 43-year-old hotel worker of $87,000.
Pamela Ufie, age 28, was apprehended Thursday evening close to Bryant Park and faces charges including grand larceny and multiple counts of fraudulent solicitation, according to court documents.
Private investigator Bob Nygaard, a former NYPD officer, reported the case to local authorities, stating that this incident constitutes the fourth time he has assisted police regarding Ufie’s activities. "She positions herself as a psychic and exploits those who are vulnerable," Nygaard commented.
The alleged scam primarily plays out through a familiar scheme. On April 11, 2023, the victim was traversing Times Square when Ufie approached and informed her of a "darkness" surrounding her, as detailed by Nygaard.
Initially, the victim parted with $100. However, Ufie claimed that she required further “research” to resolve the supposed issue.
Nygaard indicated that Ufie warned the victim about her son’s impending death unless she allowed her to resolve a "generational curse" afflicting their family.
“She asserted that both the victim and her son were at risk without her help,” Nygaard explained.
According to the investigator, Ufie manipulated the victim into believing the only way to lift this curse was through financial contributions, justifying that money, being linked to evil, needed to be cleansed before being returned.
Nonetheless, the funds were never returned, leaving the victim without the savings she had earmarked for purchasing a home for her family.
This alleged deception unfolded until October 26, 2023, as per Nygaard’s statements.
During her arraignment on Friday, Ufie entered a plea of not guilty. Efforts to reach her for comment went unanswered.
Nygaard revealed that he traveled from Florida specifically to advocate for the arrest of the alleged scammer. He spotted her near the New York Public Library, an area she frequented, and promptly notified the police, leading to her apprehension.
This arrest marked the culmination of a two-year investigation, with Nygaard detailing that he has been involved in all four of Ufie’s cases. The first case dates back nearly a decade, involving her mother-in-law, who allegedly operated a similar scam.
In 2023 alone, Ufie has had several encounters with law enforcement and has been arrested twice before on charges of grand larceny in 2021 and 2022.
Nygaard specializes in these fraudulent schemes and has previously collaborated with federal investigators and police departments across 12 states, recovering $12 million for victims.
He noted that too often, law enforcement personnel regard these matters as civil disputes, unaware that many psychic-related activities are criminal offenses. "People go to the police and are often misinformed that it’s a civil issue," he added. “However, there are legal statutes against it.”
New York laws indeed render it illegal to solicit money under the guise of "occult powers." Fortune telling is classified as a class B misdemeanor, carrying a potential penalty of up to 90 days in jail. Despite this, Nygaard stated that the law is rarely enforced.
He expressed frustration with the tendency among law enforcement to blame victims. Nygaard highlighted that individuals from various backgrounds have approached him for assistance after falling prey to these scams.
“I’ve had victims range from rocket scientists to teachers and even NYPD officers,” he noted, emphasizing that vulnerability, rather than education or intelligence, can lead anyone to fall victim to psychic fraud.
Additional reporting by Larry Celona.
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