Woman used a psychic to scam her mother out of $140 million artwork by convincing her it was cursed

By Sam Wareing

Published Aug 11, 2022 at 12:04 PM

Reading time: 1 minute

34723

A woman in Brazil has been arrested for allegedly using a psychic to swindle her mother out of $140 million (£114 million) worth of painting, cash and jewellery.

The victim—Genevieve Boghici, widow of one of Brazil’s top art collectors—was convinced by a psychic hired by her own daughter that the collection was cursed. One of the paintings by famous Brazilian artist Tarsila do Amaral was reportedly found stashed under a bed.

According to Rio de Janeiro police, the scam began in 2020 and was reported by local media outlets at the time. The widow was told by the psychic that her daughter was very ill, and persuaded her to pay for treatment.

In the following months, her daughter Sabin Coll Boghici and supposed psychic accomplice “began to take the artwork from the [mother’s] house, claiming that the painting was cursed with something negative, with negative energy that needed to be prayed over,” Rio de Janeiro police officer Gilberto Ribeiro told Reuters.

The scam went on to involve six other people, four of whom have been arrested. The remaining two are currently on the run.

Genevieve was said to have been physically threatened by the suspects and was kept at home for months by her daughter. After almost a year of harassment and mistreatment by the scammers, the widow decided she’d had enough and went to the police.

Officials reported that 16 paintings were stolen in total, with some curated by renowned Brazilian artists such as Cicero Dias, Rubens Gerchman and Alberto Guignard. Three pieces from the aforementioned modernist painter Amaral were also stolen, and were estimated to be worth $137.69 million (£112.80 million).

11 of the 16 paintings were recovered from one of the suspects’ homes in Rio de Janeiro and three more have been found in São Paulo. Two were sold to a museum in Buenos Aires, however, and have yet to be returned.

Police reported that the seven people involved in the crime face charges of embezzlement, robbery, extortion, false imprisonment and criminal association.

Keep On Reading

By Abby Amoakuh

Channel 4 documentary heavily criticised for producing nonconsensual deepfake of Scarlett Johansson

By Abby Amoakuh

Lavender marriages are going viral right now as Gen Z throws in the towel on modern dating

By Charlie Sawyer

What is the pink tote lid moment TikTok trend that’s exposing Gen Z’s mothers’ toxic behaviour?

By Charlie Sawyer

OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips’ plan to sleep with 1,000 men doesn’t justify degrading sex workers

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Why are so many women dying in jail? Reports point to inadequate medical care and systemic neglect

By Charlie Sawyer

Donald Trump’s new press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, is the mouthpiece for right-wing Gen Z

By Fleurine Tideman

Better in Person: The no-BS anti-fuck boy dating app that claims to transform your love life

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

The Real Housewives of Dubai star faces backlash over healing retreats promising to cure cancer

By Abby Amoakuh

UK police officers complain unisex uniforms lead to squashed testicles and fungal infections

By Abby Amoakuh

#swiftieracism begins trending on X after Taylor Swift fans hurl racist abuse at Beyoncé

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Fans rally around Sabrina Carpenter after YouTuber Hannah Pearl Davis labels her catfish of the year

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Candace Owens’ YouTube channel suspended over antisemitic remarks in Kanye West interview

By Abby Amoakuh

Lyle and Erik Menendez’s 90s old money aesthetic is inspiring TikTok’s latest fashion craze

By Abby Amoakuh

Love Is Blind forced to classify contestants as employees entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay

By Emma O'Regan-Reidy

What are Pit Viper sunglasses? From their 90s roots to their controversial fanbase

By Charlie Sawyer

Should you boycott Sephora? TikTok conspiracy claims beauty giant donated to Trump’s presidential campaign

By Charlie Sawyer

Interview with Lazo, the TikTok viral app exposing cheaters and testing relationships

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Did Woah Vicky fake her kidnapping? Exploring her most viral and controversial moments

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Did Justin Bieber unfollow Usher on Instagram because of his former ties to Diddy?

By Charlie Sawyer

Utah’s decision to ban A Court of Thorns and Roses proves that free thinking is off the table in the US