A self-proclaimed psychic from Hewlett has been accused of swindling at least five people in New Jersey out of more than $300,000.
Paula Lee was arrested Wednesday and charged with theft by deception, money laundering, failure to pay taxes and other charges.
Morris County prosecutors alleged the 36-year-old woman had clients give her large sums of money for “cleansing” through prayer while she was living in Randolph, NJ. Lee allegedly kept the money instead.
An investigation was initially launched after a victim reported being scammed out of $76,000 between June 2007 and January 2009. Investigators found the alleged scam dated as far back as 2004.
A second victim came forward in September 2010 claiming to have given Lee $160,000 between December 2004 and April 2008. Lee allegedly accepted about $98,000 collectively from three other victims between 2008 and 2011.
She was arrested at her Hewlett home, where she ran her business called “Psychic Readings by Anna.”
A judge set bail for Lee at $75,000. She is being held at the Morris County jail.
