POLICE in Blackburn and Accrington are warning about a "Black Magic" con woman who puts on an elaborate show designed to ward off evil spirits.

The woman has struck at least three times but police believe there could be more victims too embarrassed to come forward.

The woman -- described by police as of Eastern European appearance -- has called at homes in both towns claiming to be working for a woman's charity, offering religious books for sale.

Police said that once inside she has persuaded the occupants to hand over cash, gold, and jewellery in return for protection from evil spirits.

After wrapping the haul in bedsheets she performs a 'prayer' supposed to ward off the evil spirits. She then swaps the householder's jewellery with a pre-prepared package of worthless jewellery.

Eastern Division PC Tony Ellison said: "This is a very unusual method that has proved successful on at least three occasions we now know about. She prays over the jewellery and sometimes cuts the bedsheets into strips with a pair of scissors. When she leaves the homeowners think she has left their jewellery."Two of the reported incidents happened in Blackburn while the third was in Accrington, all in the last week. The deceptions have so far netted the trickster £3,600 worth of jewellery and more than £100 in cash.

Mr Ellison said: "We believe she works alone but there could easily be an accomplice with a car nearby."

She is described as being in her late thirties, of slim build, with a gold tooth, and speaks English with an Eastern European accent. She usually dresses in black wearing a dress, boots, and a head-scarf. The books she carries are written in Urdu.