Abu Dhabi police warn public of sorcery rip-off

Abu Dhabi: A campaign has been launched in Abu Dhabi warning the public against the dangers of approaching those offering purported black magic solutions to their problems, following the arrest of four people recently in relation to such cases.

The suspects were arrested over a period of three months after police received complaints that they had tricked unsuspecting people into parting with large sums of money in return for supernatural cures or solutions that often didn’t involve anything more potent than cardamom-flavoured coffee.

Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Bu Rashid, director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Abu Dhabi Police, identified the arrested suspects as A.S, 47, a European horse trainer; O.F, 57, an Arab public sector employee; and two tourists of Arab nationalities who were in the country on visit visas.

Colonel Bu Rashid said the police found that some of the suspects had been making nearly Dh75,000 in a single session. He added that the suspects particularly targeted gullible women, often glib-talking them about ways to boost their marital prospects.

The arrested suspects confessed to the charges against them but maintained that there was nothing wrong or illegal in their services.

Police officials revealed that the suspects would rely on puzzles with unknown symbols written on them, chits bearing names, chewing gum, coffee, cardamom and various liquids during the course of their sessions.

The police urged residents to report any instance they knew of people practising black magic, and assured that the police would initiate stringent action against anyone found to be promoting sorcery.

The police campaign will involve various platforms including television, radio and print media. Police advised people against divulging personal information or secrets to strangers since they could be used for blackmail.

The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments has also warned people against approaching black magic practitioners, adding that the practice does not conform to Emirati culture.

A sociology professor at Sharjah University said that those who turn to black magic to overcome their medical, psychological, or social troubles can end up making their problems much worse. He advised people to go to professionals who could provide them informed solutions to their problems.

Dr Mahmoud Al Shazli, psychological consultant at Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care, said people tend to approach people with supposed supernatural powers out of curiosity but end up being exploited by those who use people’s desire to know the future and ask them for personal information.