"Amela" Still on the Run: Lower Austria Police Search for Occult Fraudster

In the case of the alleged occult fraudster Mariana M. (44) alias "Amela", the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) of Lower Austria has so far identified 13 victims from both domestic and international locations. Fraudulent activities amounting to approximately 2.2 million euros have been proven, with around 140 tips received, it was reported on Thursday. The whereabouts of Mariana M. remain unknown. Further information has been requested.

"The number of solved fraud cases is steadily increasing and results from the processing of extensive tips," emphasized the State Police Directorate of Lower Austria in a statement. The cooperation with authorities in Switzerland, Germany, and Serbia was highlighted.

The case is one of the largest fraud cases ever solved by the LKA of Lower Austria. On February 10, investigators announced the seizure of cash, gold, jewelry, and high-priced wristwatches. The damage uncovered through occult fraud reaches a double-digit million amount, it was emphasized. According to LKA chief Stefan Pfandler, a safe originating from a house in Maria Enzersdorf (district of Mödling) contained, among other things, 4.1 million euros and 2.1 million Swiss francs (2.23 million euros) in cash.

Occult Fraud: New Photos of "Amela"

A European arrest warrant has been issued against Mariana M., who is believed to have been active throughout the German-speaking region for several years. On Thursday, the police again published photos of the accused - with changed hair color. "The photos are from a court conviction for occult fraud in Germany," it was noted.

The 29-year-old son of "Amela" is also under investigation. He was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to serious fraud and money laundering and was taken to the Wiener Neustadt prison. Pre-trial detention was imposed.

In mid-February, the 29-year-old Austrian citizen Dona D. alias "Anna", registered in Vienna, was also taken into custody in Maria Enzersdorf on suspicion of commercial serious fraud and membership in a criminal organization. She has been taken to the Vienna-Josefstadt prison and, according to the police, exercised her right to remain silent. Photos of Dona D. were also published again on Thursday for the purpose of victim search. Victims were asked to contact the State Criminal Police Office of Lower Austria. In mid-February, handcuffs were also clicked for a 47-year-old Austrian citizen on suspicion of money laundering and membership in a criminal organization.

Police Search Page Offers Photos of Jewelry

Photos of precious items and other valuables can be seen on the search page of the homepage of the State Police Directorate of Lower Austria (www.polizei.gv.at/noe/lpd/fahndung/fahndung.aspx). Victims of the alleged fraudster in both domestic and international locations are asked to contact the investigators of the LKA of Lower Austria at Tel.: +43 59133 303333. Information on the whereabouts of the fugitive "Amela" is also requested.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.