Santa Fe, N.M. - Santa Fe investigators are warning the community about an unusual scam.

One man thought he was getting his soul cleansed, but turned out, he just got cleaned out.

Police said the man was leaving a Walmart in Santa Fe when three women approached him. They told the man he had a dark spirit following him and offered to perform a cleanse.

"At one time or another we are all gullible, but that was a little over the top," said Walmart shopper Joy Dale.

Police said the women took the man to a white van, where they told him he needed to hand over his gold jewelry and cash because that was the root of his problems. At one point, police said they had the man go back in Walmart and cash a check for $500. Officials said the women took that money, ripped it in half and kept it.

"Most common sense people would not fall for that line right there. It just doesn't make sense," shared John Charles as he walked into Walmart.

A few days later, the man went to the police to report what he thought was a theft. Police found the women at a Motel 6. They denied having the cash but did admit to having the man's jewelry. They said he voluntarily gave it to them. Police took the jewelry back and returned it to the owner, but said they can't charge them because they technically didn't commit a crime.

"We want people to be aware, they did take his money," said Celina Westervelt with Santa Fe police. "It's an unusual crime."

The women told investigators they plan on getting a business license and setting up shop in Santa Fe.