Sylvia Mitchell, NYC fortune teller, on trial for allegedly scamming clients out of more than $100K

(CBS) NEW YORK - A New York City fortune teller on trial for allegedly duping clients out of money "wasn't into cleansing spirits, she was into cleaning bank accounts," Assistant District Attorney James Bergamo said in his opening statement Thursday.

Sylvia Mitchell is accused of telling Debra Saalfield, a single mother, that she was an ancient Egyptian princess in a past life in order to scam her out of $27,000, reports CBS New York.

Saalfield testified Thursday that she sought the help of Mitchell after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job.

"I had a meltdown," Saalfield said in Manhattan Supreme Court on the first day of Mitchell's trial for grand larceny and other charges.

Saalfield said Mitchell convinced her she had ruled an ancient city in Egypt and that her problem was her attachment to money, reports the station.

She was soon separated from it.

Mitchell told her she would have to give up her money in order to get her life back on track, Saalfield testified. So, she gave her $27,000.

Mitchell is also reportedly accused of duping a Singaporean immigrant who was contending with loneliness and an unrequited workplace crush, out of $128,000.

The defense argues there is no evidence that Mitchell failed to provide the services for which she was hired.