Evans repeatedly told victims the payments were temporary, assuring them all money and property would be returned once the ritual was complete. The indictment says that when pressed for repayment, Evans would extend the scheme by claiming the cleansings were incomplete and required additional funds. Prosecutors say the money was never returned.

According to the indictment, Uwanawich helped manage bank accounts that received victim payments, sold gold coins obtained through the scheme, and vouched for Evans' psychic abilities with victims.

The indictment also alleges the fraud continued even while Evans was incarcerated in Florida on an unrelated psychic fraud conviction. Prosecutors say co-conspirators continued communicating with victims using the  Jolene Travis  identity and told them Evans was  at the altar  or  with the angels  when she was actually in jail.

While the allegations may sound unusual, federal investigators say the case reflects a broader category of confidence and romance scams that rely on emotional manipulation. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, Americans reported more than $929 million in losses tied to confidence and romance fraud in 2025, including more than $584 million lost by victims age 60 and older.

If convicted, Evans and Uwanawich each face up to 20 years in federal prison.