TL;DR: On September 15, 2026, CP24 reported that a Toronto woman lost C$96,000, her entire life savings, to an Instagram psychic. A C$30 session advertised on Instagram escalated into claims that she was cursed, then repeated demands for money, starting with C$25,000 for a ritual. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre describes the pattern as fear and emotional manipulation.
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What happened
According to CP24 / CTV News Toronto, the woman found a psychic through an Instagram ad offering a C$30 session. She was told she was cursed with 'very bad black magic' that could cause paralysis and death, and that C$25,000 would remove one evil spirit through a ritual burial.
Scams like this rely on the victim feeling that stopping payment would put someone at risk. Each new demand is framed as the last step needed to fix a problem the scammer created.
When that supposedly did not work, she was told more spirits needed removal at similar cost. Payments continued until they reached C$96,000. The woman, who is not named here, told the outlet, 'I cry every day.'
The warning sign the CAFC highlights
The CAFC's Jeff Horncastle said one major warning sign is being told that you or a loved one will suffer illness, death, financial loss or a relationship breakdown unless you pay more. The centre describes psychic scams as using fear, threats and emotional manipulation.
How to protect yourself
- Treat any reading that moves from a small fee to large 'cleansing' costs as a scam.
- Be wary of social media ads that pair a cheap offer with an emotional hook.
- Stop paying, and talk to someone you trust before sending more.
- Do not accept threats about harm as a reason to pay.
The same escalating-payment pattern appears in dating and romance scam red flags and romance scam recovery next steps, where emotion is the lever.
Where to report
Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police, and ask your bank whether any payments can be stopped. If you are supporting a relative, elder fraud statistics for 2026 and how to protect elderly parents from phone scams may help. For next steps after any loss, see what to do after a scam, wherever you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the Toronto woman lose?
C$96,000, which the CP24 report describes as her entire life savings.
How did the scam begin?
With an Instagram ad for a C$30 psychic session. She was then told she was cursed and asked to pay C$25,000 to remove an evil spirit, followed by further payments.
What is the main warning sign?
The CAFC says a major sign is being told that illness, death, financial loss or a relationship breakdown will follow unless you pay more money.
Where can I report a psychic scam?
Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or 1-888-495-8501, and to your local police.
Sources
- CP24: 'I cry every day': Ontario woman devastated after losing $96K in psychic scam (Sep 15, 2026)
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
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