Police Launch Fraud Investigation into Psychics Accused of Swindling Hundreds of Thousands of Hryvnias.

Criminal Case Opened Against Maria Arefieva and Bohdan Orishchenko

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine's National Police have initiated criminal proceedings against Maria Arefieva and Bohdan Orishchenko, who are suspected of defrauding vulnerable individuals out of hundreds of thousands of hryvnias. Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak has accused them of systematically extorting money under the guise of offering magical services. According to Zheleznyak, Arefieva and Orishchenko applied psychological pressure and sold expensive rituals, including a so-called 'ancestral cleansing' that cost up to 160,000 hryvnias.

Activities of the Suspects

Maria Arefieva, born in 1996 in Kyiv, had gained a degree of popularity, but her activities raised red flags with law enforcement. Bohdan Orishchenko, who also goes by the alias 'mage' Veliar, reported official earnings of approximately 9 million hryvnias in 2025. Based on information provided by Zheleznyak, the accused now face serious legal repercussions. They could be held accountable for large-scale fraud under Part 4 of Article 190 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. Additionally, they may face charges of tax evasion under Part 3 of Article 212 of the same code.

The systematic fraudulent methods employed by Arefieva and Orishchenko include:

• extorting money
• psychological coercion
• selling overpriced rituals

If found guilty, the defendants could face prison time, fines, and asset confiscation. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement's next steps remain under public scrutiny.

This case highlights broader concerns about fraud in the service industry, particularly regarding the protection of vulnerable populations. Fraud cases in Ukraine have been rising across various sectors, prompting authorities to step up efforts to uphold the rule of law and safeguard consumer rights.