A Canadian man has been sentenced to 10 years in a U.S. prison for orchestrating a multi-million dollar fake psychic fraud scheme.
According to court documents, 45-year-old Patrick Guerin, also known as “Psychic Nicky,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. He admitted to defrauding over 1,000 victims across the United States and Canada. This resulted in losses of more than $3.5 million.
Psychic Readings and Spiritual Services
Guerin, who operated his fraudulent business from Montreal, used various aliases and fake identities to convince his victims that he had psychic abilities. He then offered them psychic readings and spiritual services for a fee. He promised to help them with personal and financial problems.
However, instead of providing legitimate services, Guerin and his co-conspirators used the victims’ personal information to access their bank accounts and credit cards. They then stole their money and made unauthorized purchases.
The scheme, which ran from 2013 to 2017, involved a network of individuals who helped Guerin carry out the fraud. They collected the victims’ payments and transfered the funds to Guerin. He then laundered the money through various bank accounts and shell companies.
Restitution Ordered
In addition to the prison sentence, Guerin has to pay restitution to his victims and forfeit over $3.5 million in proceeds from the fraud.
U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss stated, “Patrick Guerin used deceit and manipulation to prey on vulnerable individuals seeking help. Instead of providing the promised services, he and his co-conspirators stole their money and caused significant financial harm.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew Thomas and Nicholas Folly prosecuted the case.
Psychic Fraud Scam Warning
Concept Clarity News reminds you to always be cautious when dealing with individuals claiming to have psychic abilities or offering spiritual services. It is important to thoroughly research and verify the legitimacy of such individuals. Be sure before providing any personal information or making payments.
