Woman charged with impersonating Irish heiress

A woman accused of defrauding victims in the United States under the guise of being an Irish heiress has been extradited to the United Kingdom. Marianne Smyth, 54, is facing charges of theft and fraud, accused of scamming individuals out of over $170,000 while posing as an independent mortgage adviser in Northern Ireland from 2008 to 2010.

According to reports, Smyth not only portrayed herself as an Irish heiress but also assumed various roles such as a witch, a psychic, and a confidante to Hollywood celebrities. Authorities overseas allege that she promised to invest money which she subsequently stole and also deceived a victim by failing to follow through on a home sale after receiving payment.

Legal Proceedings and Extradition

A U.S. magistrate judge in Maine ruled in favor of Smyth’s extradition to the United Kingdom in May. Following this decision, Smyth was arrested in Bingham, Maine, in February and has been subsequently extradited to face the charges in Northern Ireland.

While the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the extradition, an attorney representing Smyth is yet to provide a comment on the matter. Smyth was due to appear at the Newtownards Magistrates Court on Tuesday to face the charges brought against her in Northern Ireland.

Victim's Pursuit for Justice

Johnathan Walton, one of Smyth’s victims, has actively sought to bring attention to her fraudulent activities by starting a podcast titled “Queen of the Con” to document his experiences with her and expose her deceptive practices.

The extradition of Marianne Smyth underscores the global nature of her alleged deception and the joint efforts of law enforcement agencies to address cross-border financial crimes.