Florida family charged in $40 million psychic scam

Rose Marks and her family of fortunetellers offered hope, but prosecutors said it came with a steep price. The Florida family claimed to confer with gods, spirits and even Michael the Archangel to cure diseases and break curses, asking for and accepting jewelry, gold coins and luxury cars in return. In all, authorities said, the family amassed a $40 million fortune from a psychic scam dating back 20 years. They used "magicians' tricks" to frighten victims, who lived as far away as Denmark and Japan, to give them the money, prosecutors said. The victims included a best-selling author who gave $20 million.