Woman Charged in Alleged Psychic Scam

An Attleboro woman was arrested and charged last week for her alleged involvement in what Hingham police are calling a psychic scam.

Teresa Nicholas, 43, turned herself into Hingham police after her lawyer spoke with detectives. She was booked and transported to , where she was arraigned on charges of larceny over $250 and conspiracy. Nicholas was released after posting $500 bail, police said. She is due back in court on June 22.

Police say Nicholas and 24-year-old Hingham resident  convinced a 69-year-old Pembroke woman to give them more than $7,000 to prevent her "cursed" daughter from dying.

Smith was arrested last month at her home and business, Crystal's Spiritual Reader, located on Whiting Street in Hingham.

Police say Smith, who goes by the psychic name "Sofie," told the woman there was a curse on her daughter and if she didn't pay her $16,000, the daughter would commit suicide. A police report states that while giving the psychic reading, Smith dropped a red liquid. She told the woman the spilled liquid represented her daughter's blood. 

While telling the Pembroke woman to pay her, Smith asked, "Isn't your daughter worth more than $16,000?" according to the police report.

Police say the Pembroke woman gave Smith an antique opal ring worth $500 and two checks totaling $7,385. Police released surveillance photos that are reported to show Nicholas cashing .

Smith told the woman to sell personal items, borrow money from relatives or bring a credit card to come up with the additional $9,000, police said. The woman's family contacted Hingham police after she told them about the incident. 

When police arrived at Smith's home, she denied knowing the Pembroke woman. She also said she lived in Dorchester and the Whiting Street location was just her business. Police did notice two other people with Smith who were dressed in pajamas.

When police asked to speak with Nicholas, Smith said she would return in an hour, but she could not be contacted because she does not have a cellphone.

Smith is facing charges of larceny over $250 (two counts), larceny over $250 by false pretenses, larceny from a person over 65 and conspiracy.

Smith's business has been closed since she was charged.