It was a disparate woman’s call to nobody
My name is Mariam (not my real name) and I am victim of a fake astrologer and witch doctor who exploited my vulnerability and spun stories of black magic. By the time I realised that he was a con, I was left with no money or emotions and he had left New Zealand. I am from India; I love my homeland and my people. I realise that con men exist in every country and society. I am thankful to Pratima Nand, a great social worker who introduced me to Indian Newslink, encouraged me to write my story so that people become aware of fraudulent people who cheat people in the name of astrology.
Fourth of many parts
The witch doctor told me over the telephone, “Your enemies are sending negative energy to your husband to incite hatred towards you; he can even kill you!”
“Do not waste any more time. Meet me at once and bring all your jewellery!”
He appeared very sad as I visited him. “Sister, your enemies have found out that I am helping you. They have sent evil forces to attack me. I am therefore unwell; I am also weak because I have been fasting and praying for you,” he said.
He said he had to commence praying in front of the Statue immediately.
A few minutes later, he said that one Statue was not enough and that he had to purchase another one to ‘ward off the evil elements’ and asked me for more money.
“I am sorry, I do not have any money to give you now,” I said.
With his usual sadistic cheeky grin and smile he continued, “In that case, Sister, you will have to go with Lalitha (his wife) and withdraw all the money you have in your bank accounts. How much money do you have?”
Mobile Phones Plan
I told him that I have Rs 200,000 (about $4300) in my Indian bank account and $2000 in a New Zealand bank account.
His face brightened. He said, “Why are you worried, Sister? Let us not waste any more time. We will purchase two mobile phones with top-up plans for one my followers.”
I was confused but agreed to his suggestion.
He and his wife were repeatedly forcing me to have coffee; they themselves restrained saying that they were fasting. I did not realise then that I was being drugged.
We went to a mobile shop where the application was rejected. He pointed towards a woman and whispered, “Sister, that was a demonic spirit stopping us from buying the phones.
We then went to another shop where, after several questions, our application got accepted.
While we were sitting there, there was a man listening to our conversation.
The witch doctor said, “That is the devil.” He purchased two mobile phones with two-year top-up plans and asked for a Snap Chat Camera and took pictures of us. He then took me to my bank and asked me withdraw money from my account.
Then he asked me to buy him and his wife some gifts from the shopping mall.
I complied.
After returning to his office, he began elaborate preparations for his prayer.
The Pandora’s Box
First he put some rice and sprinkled turmeric powder over it. Then he placed the metallic Statue that he had showed me before. After that he put all the metallic things that he had given to me as protection. He then counted $5000 of my money.
He opened a box and said, “Everything will now become invisible until such time as I tell you. It will be light to carry.”
He asked me to pray God and invoke the blessings of my father.
He then wrapped up the box with the poster of the Khabba in Mecca.
Just then an Indian woman walked in without permission.
He drove her away quickly and screamed at his wife. “Lalitha, my sister’s life is in danger. Don’t you know that was an evil spirit trying to stop the prayers?”
I was feeling dizzy by now.
The witch doctor pointed to two patches in my hand bag and said that he had to recite prayers since the bag has been infested by evil power.
He asked me to out for a walk with his wife.
When we returned, he asked me to leave my wedding albums and wedding dresses.
Handing over some stuff (which I cannot remember), he asked me to throw it in the river. He warned that evil spirits may try to stop me.
After returning home, I sent him a text, saying, “Brother, I reached home safely. I want to thank you and Lalitha for your love and support. Hope to see you soon.”
Immediately after that he disconnected the two mobile phones.
Witch doctor tricks
Four days later, Lalitha called. She cried and said, “Sister, when we were praying for you, Guru Ji (her husband) got a shock and collapsed on the floor. He is unable to speak. We are in some unknown hospital. I had to call the Police and Ambulance to take us there. You don’t worry sister. Please take care of yourself. Grandfather said that your life is in danger now. God is with us. Until Guru JI gets well, please do not touch the bag or else the spirits will attack you.”
I received several text messages from her after that saying” Hi Sister, how are you?”
I would reply her messages with “I am fine Lalitha, how is brother?”
She would not say anything about him.
Her messages continued until the end of July.
I was in shock and could not talk about it to anyone not even a friend.
Now I realise that this was the crafty witch doctor’s way of buying time so that I should not take any action against him.
Next Issue: Some more reflections and revelations
