Fortune teller pilfers possessions for 'curse removal'

Russian police say a woman accused of stealing valuables took the items so she could remove curses from them.

The officials revealed that an unnamed Ukrainian woman claiming she was a fortune teller told victims said had to take their possessions - including a laptop, high-end boots and mink coats - for "curse removal" purposes.

The police explained: "Ivanko, as she called herself, told people their future and was interested in any valuable things they had on them.

"Then she would announce that exactly these belongings carried a curse and took them away for 'curse removal.' "

The woman is now awaiting trial.