Sydney ‘gypsy psychics’ allegedly swindled people out of family fortunes

But only part of the fortune was returned, police say, even as weeks passed and the alleged victim failed to pay rent and was evicted.

Police say Williams sent $15,000 to a Matraville woman and promised the rest would be received by the last day of 2020.

“The prosecution alleges that the defendant deliberately deceived the victim and took advantage of her vulnerability during the breakdown of her marriage,” the fact sheet states.

Williams had just been convicted of another spiritual cleansing scam when she was questioned by police last July.

But in August this year Williams was stopped by border forces as she tried to board a flight out of Australia.

Williams told police she was returning the money to the Matraville woman using money from friends and family overseas.

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“She had a British passport, a one-way ticket, and was going to visit her sick mother, whom she had not seen since 2013, I think,” Williams’ lawyer, Williams Brewer, told Bankstown Local Court last month.

Brewer asked the magistrate to release Williams on bail, saying the case against her had “civil overtones” and involved a contract dispute.

Williams had hoped she could stay in her uncle’s van in the Illawarra region with her sister Tina Montana, who is not accused of any offenses and sits at the back of the court.

Magistrate Jennifer Giles refused Williams bail, saying she was facing “very serious” charges and had a “shocking record”.

“Vulnerable members of society would appear to be at serious risk from (Williams) and I cannot contain that risk through bail conditions,” the judge added.

Police suspect another woman, who they say speaks with a Romanian accent, is a third person involved in the alleged fraud.

The psychic cleansing scam appears to have started at least in 2006.

Larry Williams is charged with dishonestly obtaining financial gain by deception and reckless handling of proceeds of crime.

Maria is charged with dishonestly obtaining financial gain by deception.

Both were refused bail and are expected to appear in court on November 7.

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