Manatee deputies charge 2 women in connection with 'money healing' scam

MANATEE -- Two women were arrested on Friday in Pinellas County in connection with a scam known as "money healing," according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Rosalita Lugo De Santos, 56, and Alejandra Duarte Solis, 31, have been charged with two counts each of scheme to defraud and one count of grand theft.

"Since Aug. 21, 2015, there have been three incidents where a victim had money and other valuables taken under the guise of having the items 'blessed' or 'healed' by the suspects," a release states.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives believe Lugo De Santos and Solis may have been involved in other incidents in Manatee County and possibly other jurisdictions.

Anyone with information on this type of scam can call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2558.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Manatee deputies charge 2 women in connection with 'money healing' scam ."