A federal court has ruled that Marianne Smyth, a convicted scammer who claimed to be an Irish heiress and is accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from victims, should be extradited to the United Kingdom. Smyth, who has also portrayed herself as a witch, a psychic, and a friend to Hollywood stars, has been in a Maine jail awaiting the decision on her extradition. The allegations against her involve stealing over $170,000 from victims in Northern Ireland between 2008 and 2010. US Magistrate Judge John Nivison has determined that there is enough evidence to certify Smyth’s extradition to the UK to face charges.
Smyth’s extradition could bring closure to a bizarre saga where victims described her as a master of disguise and an experienced traveling grifter. According to Nivison, Smyth faces four counts of fraud and four counts of theft under UK and Northern Ireland laws. Authorities in the UK claim that Smyth deceived victims by promising to invest money and arranging fraudulent property sales. Arrest warrants for her were issued in Northern Ireland several years ago, leading to the extradition request. Smyth’s case has been compared to that of Anna Sorokin, a scammer who posed as a German heiress to fund her lifestyle.
Marianne Smyth’s victims included Johnathan Walton, a podcaster who warned others about her scams. Smyth stole tens of thousands of dollars from Walton and spent two years in jail after being caught. Their relationship began in Los Angeles, where Smyth told Walton she was due a $7 million inheritance from her Irish family. However, Walton discovered her criminal past when he learned about her previous theft from a travel agency. Using his podcast, Walton gathered information from Smyth’s other victims, who revealed that she had started a fake charity and pretended to be various identities, including a cancer patient and Jennifer Aniston’s friend.
Despite protests from her attorney, Smyth’s extradition was approved by Judge Nivison, who stated there was enough evidence to support the charges against her. Smyth’s acts of deception have drawn comparisons to other high-profile scammers, highlighting the elaborate schemes used to defraud victims. The extradition could pave the way for Smyth to face justice in the UK for her alleged crimes. Smyth’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling for elaborate scams and trusting individuals who make false promises. As the legal process moves forward, Smyth will remain in the custody of the US Marshals Service pending a decision from the Secretary of State.