Fortune teller on the run after scamming customers, police say

A woman wanted on suspicion of stealing more than $50,000 from residents on the Central Coast is on the run, according to Seaside Police.

Investigators said a woman going by the name of Martha Llanos has been advertising her services on the radio and placing ads on cars. Her services include Tarot card reading, palm readings, green magic for good luck and money, red magic for passion, and spiritual healing.

Seaside Police said Llanos has been taking thousands of dollars from families and people dealing with crisis.

Maria Bartes from Seaside said she and her daughter are victims. Bartes said she turned to Llanos to fix some family problems. She said Llanos came into her home and performed rituals that would supposedly help. Bartes said Llanos promised to pay her back after she blessed the money, but she never did. Bartes said she ended up losing $30,000.

Seaside Police Officer Patricia Perez said more and more victims continue to come forward, with similar stories.

“She starts asking for hundreds of dollars, then it escalates to thousands of dollars,” Officer Perez said. “They actually go see her between one and five times. And during those times, she says, ‘well if you want this to work, you have to bring more money.'”

Investigators said Llanos is a woman on the move, that her business has operated in several cities, under several name,s including Botanica Guadalupe, Botanica Catalina, and Curandera Sr. Llanos.

“She is mostly targeting the Hispanic population, and they are very religious,” Perez said. “And they believe and have faith she is going to do what she promises to do.”

Again, Llanos is on the run. Police said they’ve had a hard time finding her because she’s moving around. She’s described as a Hispanic woman with dark hair and blonde highlights, 5’6 to 5’8, with green eyes. Police don’t have a picture of her yet to share.

Anyone with information is asked to call Seaside Police.