Umán, Yucatán — Police in Umán arrested a man and a woman accused of posing as shamans and defrauding families in the community of Oxholón by offering fake healing rituals and spiritual solutions in exchange for money.
The couple was taken into custody by officers from the Umán Public Safety and Traffic Department after residents alerted authorities, according to a municipal police statement.
The suspects allegedly went door-to-door in Oxholón, offering “cleansings,” cures, and solutions to personal, family, and health problems for various sums of money.
Police were on a routine patrol when they received a report about two people soliciting money from neighbors. Officers found a woman and a man matching the description provided by callers.
During interviews, a resident of Oxholón told police that the pair had visited her home and convinced family members to hand over money for healing rituals to remove supposed ailments or problems.
Police recovered the cash and returned it to the affected family. The couple was then taken to the Miguel Hidalgo police station and turned over to the legal department for processing.
The case sparked discussion among community members, who said the alleged healers promised “miracles,” cleansings, and supernatural solutions that turned out to be a scheme to extract money from vulnerable people.
Municipal authorities urged the public not to give money to strangers who promise miraculous cures, spiritual work, or immediate solutions to health, financial, or family problems without professional or scientific backing.
They also called on residents to report similar incidents by calling the emergency number 911 to prevent others from falling victim to such scams.
Similar complaints have emerged in other Yucatán municipalities involving people offering esoteric or healing services for large sums. In Tizimín, a well-known branch of “El Indio que Cura” closed months ago, though officials did not disclose the reason.
The legal status of the detained couple will be determined by the appropriate authorities as investigations continue.
