Ukrainian national accused of fraud after posing as psychic to scam three women out of over €159,000

A 1993-born Ukrainian citizen has been charged with large-scale fraud after allegedly posing as a psychic to swindle three women in Vilnius and Kaunas out of €159,570, prosecutors announced Monday.

The man, identified only as S. T., is accused of operating within an organised criminal group that targeted victims between September 2025 and January 2026, Lithuania’s Prosecutor General’s Office said in a statement. The case has been referred to Vilnius District Court.

Investigators allege the suspect used messaging apps and social media to contact the women, warning them of supposed spiritual threats, curses, or impending misfortune. He then offered to perform rituals—requiring cash payments—to ward off the dangers. Victims were instructed to transfer funds via international payment systems, send money orders, or hand over cash directly to couriers, including the accused himself.

Authorities confirmed S. T. was detained in the Vilnius region and remains in custody. Evidence gathered during the pre-trial investigation allegedly proves his role as the group member responsible for directly collecting payments from the victims.

The three affected women reside in Vilnius and Kaunas.