Unbelievable! Psychic scams are costing Australians big bucks, and the culprits are getting away with it
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We all know that there are important lessons to be learned from our past experiences, but some are paying a hefty price for seeking such guidance.
Psychic scams have been swindling unsuspecting individuals in Australia out of thousands of dollars, and to make matters worse, those behind these scams are getting off scot-free.
Nasser Zahr, an Australian citizen who had the misfortune of crossing paths with a so-called psychic in Sydney's Burwood in 2019, was already at a low point when the psychic offered to help him with health and wealth problems.
According to him, these were the two things weighing him down.
‘I remember that day this “psychic” approached me. I was feeling particularly hopeless. My wife is also disabled. My kids need 24-hour care and can't do anything alone, including eating. It's a very challenging life; they wholly depend on me. I feel very isolated and stressed.’
Feeling desperate and lured by the seemingly low fee of $25, Nasser decided to try it, thinking he had nothing more to lose.
Little did he know that his financial loss would amount to a whopping $2,400, not to mention his and his children's sense of safety and security.
Nasser's story is just one among many, as psychic scams seem to be on the rise in Australia.
According to ScamWatch, the amount of money taken from Australians through these scams more than doubled between 2020 and 2022 – jumping from $230,273 to $555,240.
And to make matters worse, it seems that nobody is willing or able to do anything about it.
The mechanics of psychic scams can be quite elaborate. One common trick is to tell the victim that they are cursed and that it will require multiple (costly) sessions with the psychic to lift the curse.
These scams often involve emotional manipulation and fear tactics, playing on the victim's vulnerabilities and love for their family.
‘I didn't know what to believe,’ Nasser said.
‘I guess, with my life as it was, it was tempting to believe I'd been cursed.’
This narrative went on until the psychics claimed that they’ve ‘got the curse’. According to Nasser, he was told to bring a bag of his clothes to remove the curse.
‘There were lots of candles and a big knife,’ he told reporters. The ‘psychics’ also told him that they couldn’t ‘destroy the curse’ in this country.
‘It has to go back to India and get destroyed by the super master,’ Nasser claimed.
The cost? $7,000 for the flights and ‘curse removal’.
Stunned, Nasser refused and tried to leave.
‘He said, “Where are you going? We've done all this work. Your life is in danger. Your kids' lives are in danger. What are we going to do with this curse? We can't leave it here.”’ Nasser recalled.
The psychic then threw the knife into the table and punched a hole into it, presumably to intimidate the man.
Nasser offered $2,000 if he let him leave.
‘It was all I had. And I feared for my life,’ he admitted.
While some people might be tempted to blame the victims, it is crucial to remember that intelligence has nothing to do with falling for scams.
In many cases, highly educated and successful individuals who find themselves in a vulnerable state can be manipulated and scammed by cunning fraudsters.
The sad truth is that there is no easy way to protect oneself against these types of scams other than remaining vigilant and sceptical when it comes to too-good-to-be-true offers of miraculous solutions to life's problems.
In the case of psychic scams, it's vital to report any suspicious instances and document all details meticulously to help bring these scam artists to justice.
And as always, our advice to SDC members is to remain vigilant and be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true.
Remember to discuss and share your experiences and any doubts you may have with trusted friends and family members, as sometimes, an objective second opinion can make all the difference.
For those who have encountered psychic scams or similar situations, report your experiences to ScamWatch or the local authorities. By raising awareness and providing information, we can help protect others in our community and hopefully put an end to the malicious actions of these fraudulent psychics.
Were you aware of this scam? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
Psychic scams have been swindling unsuspecting individuals in Australia out of thousands of dollars, and to make matters worse, those behind these scams are getting off scot-free.
Nasser Zahr, an Australian citizen who had the misfortune of crossing paths with a so-called psychic in Sydney's Burwood in 2019, was already at a low point when the psychic offered to help him with health and wealth problems.
According to him, these were the two things weighing him down.
Beware of these scams. Credit: Anna Tarazevich/Pexels
‘I remember that day this “psychic” approached me. I was feeling particularly hopeless. My wife is also disabled. My kids need 24-hour care and can't do anything alone, including eating. It's a very challenging life; they wholly depend on me. I feel very isolated and stressed.’
Feeling desperate and lured by the seemingly low fee of $25, Nasser decided to try it, thinking he had nothing more to lose.
Little did he know that his financial loss would amount to a whopping $2,400, not to mention his and his children's sense of safety and security.
Nasser's story is just one among many, as psychic scams seem to be on the rise in Australia.
According to ScamWatch, the amount of money taken from Australians through these scams more than doubled between 2020 and 2022 – jumping from $230,273 to $555,240.
And to make matters worse, it seems that nobody is willing or able to do anything about it.
ScamWatch warns not to send money to anyone claiming to be a clairvoyant and exercising caution with personal information. Credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels
The mechanics of psychic scams can be quite elaborate. One common trick is to tell the victim that they are cursed and that it will require multiple (costly) sessions with the psychic to lift the curse.
These scams often involve emotional manipulation and fear tactics, playing on the victim's vulnerabilities and love for their family.
‘I didn't know what to believe,’ Nasser said.
‘I guess, with my life as it was, it was tempting to believe I'd been cursed.’
This narrative went on until the psychics claimed that they’ve ‘got the curse’. According to Nasser, he was told to bring a bag of his clothes to remove the curse.
‘There were lots of candles and a big knife,’ he told reporters. The ‘psychics’ also told him that they couldn’t ‘destroy the curse’ in this country.
‘It has to go back to India and get destroyed by the super master,’ Nasser claimed.
The cost? $7,000 for the flights and ‘curse removal’.
Stunned, Nasser refused and tried to leave.
‘He said, “Where are you going? We've done all this work. Your life is in danger. Your kids' lives are in danger. What are we going to do with this curse? We can't leave it here.”’ Nasser recalled.
The psychic then threw the knife into the table and punched a hole into it, presumably to intimidate the man.
Nasser offered $2,000 if he let him leave.
‘It was all I had. And I feared for my life,’ he admitted.
While some people might be tempted to blame the victims, it is crucial to remember that intelligence has nothing to do with falling for scams.
In many cases, highly educated and successful individuals who find themselves in a vulnerable state can be manipulated and scammed by cunning fraudsters.
The sad truth is that there is no easy way to protect oneself against these types of scams other than remaining vigilant and sceptical when it comes to too-good-to-be-true offers of miraculous solutions to life's problems.
In the case of psychic scams, it's vital to report any suspicious instances and document all details meticulously to help bring these scam artists to justice.
And as always, our advice to SDC members is to remain vigilant and be wary of anything that sounds too good to be true.
Remember to discuss and share your experiences and any doubts you may have with trusted friends and family members, as sometimes, an objective second opinion can make all the difference.
For those who have encountered psychic scams or similar situations, report your experiences to ScamWatch or the local authorities. By raising awareness and providing information, we can help protect others in our community and hopefully put an end to the malicious actions of these fraudulent psychics.
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