Witch doctor 'lured people with false promises'

Abu Dhabi: A man claiming to be a witch doctor has been arrested by Abu Dhabi Police.

The man, a 38-year-old Egyptian who worked for a construction company identified as A.A, was arrested for luring people to fulfil their desires by using his services as a sorcerer at night. The cost of consultation could go up to Dh7,000 in some cases, police said.

Having received a tip-off, police drafted a plan to catch him, said Lieutenant Colonel Suhail Al Rashedi, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department. They deployed a woman who posed as a client.

She said she wished to get closer to her husband. The man asked her to meet him and provide him with Dh3,000 and a list of items he demanded.

The officials raided his apartment and confiscated his belongings, including documents to practice black magic. The man confessed to the crime and said "the devil was able to manipulate him".