I responded to an ad in a tabloid - I think it was the Star - for "a free psychic reading." Most of us are curious about our future.instead oa a psychic reading I received a letter telling me that dangerous times were ahead particularly for me and that Ms. Maria duval could help me navigate these difficult times and instead benefit by developing my own protective powers.
We all like to think that we have the "power" to protect ourselves against "bad influences" and that someone will help us. The amount of money she asked at first was small - $29.00 - and she promised a lenghty report as part of a "study of psychic phenomenon." I did not respond, but I was thinking about it. Then she sent me another letter telling me that the situation had become dire and she really wanted to help me, that I needed protection even more seriously and she would provide it for $35.
I eventually responded to one of these letters, sending $35. For a book on "psychic protection and initiation, " and I have not received this, but it has not been very long. What disturbs me is that as soon as I sent that check I began receiving letters daily, sometimes two a day, offering me all kinds of strange things, statues of goddesses, necklaces that she would "loan" to me but that "are not for sale because they are rare and of great value so you must return them in six months or a year" and each one asking for money.
Then I found the scam site. I suppose it is possible that I might still receive the book I ordered from her, although it has been long enough that an efficient organization would have sent it by now. Others have sent in reports that they never received the things they ordered and paid for - but the ting that worries me is that as soon as I sent her one check for one thing I began receiving SO many letters, all printed and with printed signatures, all asking for money, all advertising odd products that are NOT to be kept, and I feel that she must think she's found an easy mark.
I'm wondering if it's too late to void out my check at my bank but I'm embarrassed to admit I sent her a check at all! I am a Christian and should never have even considered such a thing. But when someone sends you a letter saying "You are in danger and I am the only one who can help you..." it's hard to ignore it. She sent no phone number, no e-mail address, no website address, there is no way to contact her except by sending money -how convenient for her.
I have an idea: Let's all get together and ask for audited tax returns. Do you suppose she is registered as a non-profit organization? Then she would have a Form 990 filed with the IRS, and it would be public record. Another suggestion is that we might question whether or not she is declaring all of her income - apecifically, next year at tax time, I wonder if I might be able to contact the IRS and ask: Did Maria Duval declare my check #5976 as income? By then I should be able to have a bank statement showing it as being cashed. If we all keep proof that our checks were cashed, whether we received what she promised us or not, we ought to be able to question whether or not they were reported as income.
I feel sad suggesting this. Please do not mention my name on line. IT seems like such a mean thing to do. But if people are being scammed, well, let's fact it, that IS how they caught Al Capone.
Thanks. I wish you all well and hope that some good comes out of this for you even if it isn't the mystical miracle promised by Ms. Duval. I keep hoping I'll learn something, but so far all I seem to learn is that we as human beings are vulnerable and have needs, and fears, and we do seem to be easy prey for anyone who says, "I'm your friend and I can help you during these dark and dreay times." I should have known better. Statues of goddesses I can resist, loaned necklaces purported to be ancient possessions of mysterious queens (covered with 14 carat gold) I can resist, but books - ah, she found my weak spot.
Drassa
Ventura, California
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