Exploring Fake Psychic Mediums

How to Spot the Real from the Pretend

Here, I will delve into exploring fake Psychic Mediums. I’ve worked in the psychic and mediumship world long enough  — the truly gifted who can change lives with their connection, and the outright frauds who are only in it for attention or money.

The thing about fake psychic mediums is this: they’re not new. They’ve been around for as long as people have been seeking comfort from the other side. And while the tools and tactics have changed over the years, the basic tricks are much the same.

If you’ve ever been nervous about booking a reading, or if you’re wondering how to avoid the wrong person, I want to give you the clearest, most detailed guide I can — so you walk into any psychic or mediumship situation with your eyes open.

A Problem as Old as Mediumship Itself

Mediumship has a rich history — and so do the frauds.

In the Victorian era, spiritualism was booming. Parlours were filled with séances, table tipping, and mysterious spirit knocks. While some practitioners were genuine, others turned it into theatre.

The Fox Sisters — In 1848, Maggie and Kate Fox claimed they could communicate with spirits through knocks and raps. They became famous… until decades later when they admitted they’d been producing the sounds by cracking their toe joints.

Ectoplasm fakery — Some mediums in the early 20th century produced “ectoplasm” — supposedly spirit material — which was later revealed to be cheesecloth, gauze, or even muslin cut from curtains.

Mechanical tricks — Hidden assistants would ring bells, move tables, and blow cold air to mimic spirit activity.

Trumpet mediums — Hollow cones would “float” in darkened rooms, supposedly moved by spirit. In reality, they were suspended by wires.

These were performances, not connections — but they were convincing enough to fool people desperate to believe.

Why Fake Psychic Mediums Still Exist

You might think that in today’s world, with more awareness and scepticism, fakes would be easy to spot. But the truth is, the emotional pull of wanting a message from a loved one is strong, and the wrong person can exploit it.

The main reasons people fake mediumship:

Money — Vulnerable people will pay for comfort, sometimes repeatedly.

Ego — Being seen as “special” or “gifted” feeds certain personalities.

Performance over connection — Some enjoy the thrill of fooling an audience.

Self-delusion — Not everyone who’s wrong is lying; some genuinely mistake their guesses or intuition for spirit contact.

The Tricks of the Trade — How Fakes Fool People

Here are some of the most common methods fraudulent mediums use:

Cold Reading

The art of making educated guesses by reading your body language, clothing, accent, age, and reactions. It sounds personal, but it’s built on observation and probability.

Hot Reading

Researching you beforehand, often using social media or public records, then presenting the information as if it came from spirit.

Fishing for Information

Asking subtle questions, then rephrasing what you say into a “spirit message.”

Over-Generalisation

Vague statements that fit almost anyone: “I see a man in uniform” or “there’s a birthday coming up.”

Fear Tactics

Claiming you have a curse, negative entity, or bad energy — and offering to remove it for a fee.

The Upsell

Turning a single, affordable reading into a series of “urgent” follow-ups that drain your wallet.

Why People Fall for It

It’s not about being gullible — it’s about being human.
When we’re grieving, lost, or looking for reassurance, we’re more open to hope. A skilled fraud knows how to create a believable connection by blending charm, performance, and emotional hooks.

The Impact of Fakes

For the public:

Emotional harm if they realise they’ve been lied to.

Loss of trust in all psychic or mediumship work.

Financial exploitation.

For genuine mediums:

Constantly fighting against the reputation damage caused by frauds.

Being lumped in with scammers despite working ethically.

What a Genuine Medium Will Do

From my perspective, a genuine medium:

Is clear about what they can and can’t do — no promises of specific spirits.

Gives specific, verifiable evidence before passing on personal messages.

Works ethically — no fear tactics, no manipulation.

Admits when a link is weak rather than forcing it.

Keeps the reading focused on healing, comfort, and clarity.

The Social Media Factor

Social media has changed everything. For genuine mediums, it’s a great way to connect with people. For fakes, it’s a research goldmine.

Your public posts, photos, likes, and even comments can give away more than you realise. That’s why I always tell people — don’t feed a medium information before or during the reading. If they’re real, they won’t need it.

How to Protect Yourself

If you’re booking a reading:

Research the medium — Look for independent reviews and genuine testimonials.

Avoid anyone who guarantees results — Spirit chooses who comes through.

Be cautious of fear-based selling — Curses, negative energy removal, or urgent “spiritual cleanses” are almost always scams.

Give no prior information — Just your first name.

Trust your gut — If something feels wrong, stop the reading.

A Note for Vulnerable Sitters

If you’re deep in grief, be extra careful. The early stages of loss can make you more susceptible to emotional manipulation. A real medium will never rush you, push you into decisions, or promise you the impossible.

Why I Talk About This Openly

Some in the industry think pointing out fakes harms all mediums. I think hiding the problem is worse. By being upfront, I protect my clients and help maintain the integrity of mediumship.

I won’t pretend to be a third-generation psychic or invent a near-death experience to make my story sound more mystical. I believe we’re all born with intuitive ability — I’ve simply honed mine, and my style is direct, straight to the point, and focused on truth.

Final Thought

When mediumship is real, it’s powerful. It can heal grief, restore hope, and remind you that love and connection continue beyond death. But fake mediums turn that sacred experience into a con.

For information about my Psychic Medium services, visit my homepage

Exploring Fake Psychic Mediums