Posted on 04/25/2003 11:20:26 AM PDT by jiggyboy
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A proposal to regulate psychics in San Francisco is catching the attention of law enforcement nationwide. That's because fortune-telling fraud is one of the hardest crimes to prosecute.
Fraudulent psychics and palm readers are rampant in California according to police. They've taken consumers for millions of dollars. The problem is that perpetrators use fake names and are constantly on the move and victims are too scared or embarrassed to come forward.
"I can see that you have a long-standing disagreement with someone in your family," says Detective Jan Cater from the Sacramento Sheriff's Department. She's giving Contact 4 a lesson in in fortune telling fraud. "Your response will tell me what my response needs to be," she explains. "'Oh yes, my sister and I.' That's right!"
Inspector Cater has prosecuted cases that go well beyond small change palm reading, crystal ball gazing and candle lighting. Take the case of Nancy Unawich, wanted for defrauding an East Bay resident out of $265,000.
Last year, Ingrid Raven told us how Nancy scared her with curses, then took her money a few thousand at a time.
"They had eggs," Raven says. "If it's rotten I had a disease in me to cure for $5,000."
After that cure there were more curses and more cures for more money. She even financed shopping sprees for the psychics to Home Depot, Macys and Circuit City.
"It brought her to financial ruin," says detective Cater. Ingrid's money is gone.
Louie Stevens was arrested. His partner in crime, psychic Nancy Unawich is still on the loose. We asked if there was a decent chance that Nancy Unawich may pop up if she's not caught, doing the same thing.
"I can almost guarantee you she's doing that right now," Detective Cater told us. "And I am pleased to get this in your media because I believe she is in your area."
If she is operating in San Francisco, she may soon find it tougher to hide. City Hall and the District Attorney's office are working together to pass a law that would force all fortune tellers to register and get a permit.
"The legislation is an attempt by us to regulate transient con artists and thieves," says District Attorney Terrence Hallinan.
The ordinance would force psychics to undergo inspections, fingerprinting and criminal backgrounds checks - all standard in other occupations. That law was proposed six months ago, but has gone nowhere. Apparently because the psychic industry is fighting it.
Robert Emil is considered to be one of the leaders of the fortune telling industry in San Francisco. He owns San Francisco Palm Reading in North Beach, but when we caught up with him he didn't want to talk to us.
"Not interested," he said. "Talk to my lawyer."
So we did.
"There is the implication in the opening language of the statute that there is something inherently fraudulent about prophecy," we were told.
Palm reading, fraudulent? High powered attorney and lobbyist Bob Mccarthy says its a perfectly legitimate industry. His main objection to the proposed law is the call for random searches, since many psychics work out of their homes.
"We don't think that should allow them to extend that notion to go into the children's bedrooms," he says.
"We're not talking about anyone waltzing through people's bedrooms," responds Laurel Pallock from the District Attorney's office. "If it's a business, then I'm sorry it's just like any other business."
Except that this business rakes in millions. San Francisco police records show that in the past decade fortune telling fraud cost San Francisco citizens close to a million dollars. And police say it's probably 50 times that amount. "There are so many people that are afraid to file a complaint, because they are embarrassed."
Until the law passes, beware of psychic predators. And if Nancy Unawich offers to rid you of curses, call the police.
Supervisor Aaron Peskin is sponsoring San Francisco's landmark fortune telling ordinance. He says the bill is in the works and is going to committee soon.
SF DA's office: (For complaints on psychics in San Francisco) 415-551-9595
Sacramento Sheriff's Dept. (For information on Nancy Unawich) 916-874-1791
(Copyright 2003, KRON 4. All rights reserved.)
I knew you were going to say that.
How come we never see the headline: Psychic Wins Lottery
Why don't they just give their paying customers a call?
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