A Canadian woman is charged with pretending to be a witch — even though it's legal to be one

A 27-year-old Toronto woman has been charged with pretending to practice witchcraft. In Canada, it is actually legal to practice witchcraft, but if you are pretending to be a witch, you may be punished.

That was the case for Samantha Stevenson, who went by the alias Evanna Lopez while pretending to be a sorceress. Police believe the woman was a fake enchantress because of her contact with a 67-year-old man in 2014. She informed the man that his home was full of evil spirits and then encouraged him to sell the house and transfer the money into her account. Stevenson, posing as a psychic, said she would hold on to the money until the spirits were eliminated.

Police say that Stevenson never returned the money and that she went on to demand another $6,000 in cash. She promised to burn the $6,000 to ward off the spirits. In total, the man allegedly lost more than $600,000.

After an investigation, police charged Stevenson with pretending to practice witchcraft, fraud or more than $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime.

Naturally, those who heard of the news were shocked that “pretending” to be a witch was a crime but that it’s perfectly legal to be an actual witch.

Wiccans follow a rule of harming no one and would never try to con a person out of money or a home.

Canada is currently in the process of updating its criminal code, which would include the legalization of dueling and telling fortunes. However, until Section 365 of the Code is changed, pretending to be a witch remains a crime.

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