Polly, Bridgette and Olivia Evans arrested in $59,000 Fla. sorcery scam

(CBS/WFOR/AP) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Olivia Evans and two other women are accused of scamming thousands of dollars from unsuspecting people looking to "cleanse" the evil spirits in their lives.

Federal prosecutors in Fort Lauderdale say 22-year-old Olivia Evans, 36-year-old Polly Evans and 32-year-old Bridgette Evans are charged with two counts of mail fraud and ten counts of wire fraud.

According to CBS affiliate WFOR, Prosecutors say all three women participated in a scheme from January 2007 through February 2009 where they falsely represented themselves as having powers to detect and rid the victims of evil spirits through a religious cleansing.

As part of the scheme, the women allegedly coaxed the victims to send them thousands of dollars for the purported cleansings, and promised to return the money as soon as the cleanse was complete.

The money, prosecutors say, was never returned to the victims. The women are thought to have netted $59,000.

If convicted, all three women face up to 20 years in prison on each count of mail fraud and wire fraud.

Bridgette Evans faced a judge in Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Also on Friday, Polly Evans and Olivia Evans made their first appearance in a Fort Worth, Texas courtroom.

Bridgette Evans, who is Polly's sister, is being held without bail in South Florida. Polly and Olivia Evans, who are mother and daughter, will be extradited to Florida.