White Plains -- She called herself "Carmella" and said she had psychic talents.
She read palms and tarot cards and claimed that she could protect people from evil, for a price.
Her powers evidently didn't help her see her own future, however, when she walked into a police trap and was accused of scamming a White Plains woman out of $3,000 to $4,000.
Rosie Nicholas, 34, of 480 S. Broadway, Yonkers, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of fraudulent accosting, accused of convincing the 19-year-old victim to hand over cash in exchange for protection.
"She befriended the victim where she works in the Galleria and told her she could help prevent bad things from happening to her, but that she would have to pay," said Lt. Eric Fischer, commander of the Detective Division. "The victim gave her money a few times over the past several weeks before she realized she was being taken advantage of and contacted police."
On Friday, Fischer said, the victim arranged for another meeting with "Carmella" at the mall. When Nicholas arrived, undercover police were waiting and made the arrest.
Fischer said there may be other victims and asked anyone who believes they may have been scammed to contact detectives at 914-422-6223. Calls will be kept confidential.
He also reminded residents to "be cautious of people who make questionable claims. If anyone offers you something that sounds too good to be true, it usually is."
