Indian Newslink 15th June 2016 Digital Edition

JUNE 15, 2016
20 COMMUNITYLINK
Smart witch doctor vanishes with smartphones
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
It was a disparate woman’s call to nobody
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
CALLING FOR ENTRIES
& NOMINATIONS
Indian
Newslink
Indian Business
Awards
DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
CATEGORIES:
1. Business Excellence in Retail Trade
2. Business Excellence in Innovation
3. Business Excellence in Marketing
4. Business Excellence in Customer Service
5. Best Employer of Choice (New)
6. Best Small Business
7. Best Medium Sized Business
8. Best Large Business
9. Business Excellence in International
trade with India*
10. Best Accountant of the Year
11. Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year
12. Best Businesswoman of the Year
13. Best Financial Advisor (Mortgage) of the Year
14. Best Financial Advisor (Insurance) of the Year
Supreme Business of the Year Award (All entries will be entered for this category)
* this category is open to all businesses registered in New Zealand, importing or exporting a product or service from
and to India or engaged in enrolling international students from India
To the Ninth Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2016 For the first time
since the launch of the Awards in 2008, companies and individuals can nominate any
company or individual carrying on as registered businesses in New Zealand.
Nomination forms are incorporated in the entry process this year.
Enter up to any three of the above first nine categories. Entries to all the categories can
also be by nomination (see website for details). Download Entry forms from
www.inliba.com or write to editor@indiannewslink.co.nz Completed entries must be sent
on or before Thursday, August 31, 2016 to iba2016@ignitionpartner.com
Winners will be presented with their Awards at a Gala Black Tie Dinner on
Monday, November 28, 2016 at Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland City, details of
which will be announced later.
Conditions of Entry:
Entries and Nominations must be in electronic format sent by email. Those sent by post, fax or other means will not be accepted. The decision of the judges would be final and no
correspondence will be entertained in this connection. The management and staff of Indian Newslink and the supporting and sponsoring organisations are not eligible to enter the Awards.
Free Workshops
Please attend our Free Workshops on ‘How to file a good entry’ as follows:
a) Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at 4 pm: BNZ Partners, Level 1, 86 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki
b) Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 4 pm: BNZ Partners, Level 1, 86 Highbrook Drive, East Tamaki
c) Thursday, July 7, 2016 at 4 pm: Level 8, Deloitte Centre, Level 8, 80 Queen Street, Auckland City
(Workshop in The Board Room, Level 7; please report at Reception at Level 8)
To Register please email editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
Indian Newslink
P O Box 82338 Highland Park, Manukau 2143
Phone (09) 5336377 • info@indiannewslink.co.nz
www.indiannewslink.co.nz • www.inliba.com