SIBU: An elderly woman lost more than RM60,000 yesterday after she was deceived by a bomoh (shaman) who offered to ward off evil spirits that could bring misfortune to her family.
Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the deception began when the victim in her 70s was approached by an unknown woman in the Sibu market area who enquired about the location of a traditional Chinese medicine shop.
“According to the victim, based on the woman’s accent, the suspect was suspected to be a Chinese national. Not long after, another woman with the same accent also asked about the location of a prayer place to ward off evil spirits,” he said in a statement today.
He said the victim was then taken on foot to a nearby parking area before being ushered into a vehicle to be brought to the bomoh.
“The victim was informed that she was cast under a spell that could bring misfortune to her family members if it was not removed through a special ritual. The fearful victim duly complied with the bomoh’s instructions,” he said.
Zulkipli said the victim then handed over cash and jewellery totalling RM60,794 as a condition of the ritual. After the fake ritual, the victim was given a black plastic package and instructed to open it only after a week.
However, when the victim’s son opened the package, it only contained instant noodles, one kilogramme of salt and four bottles of mineral water. Realising that she had been cheated, the victim lodged a police report.
According to Zulkipli, the Sibu IPD Commercial Crime Investigation Division received the report on the same day and opened an investigation paper under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
In this regard, he advised the public not to believe shamans or bomohs who offered traditional treatments, rituals or ceremonies to remove curses by asking for cash or jewellery.
“Don’t be easily fooled by threats or promises that create fear because it can make you a victim of fraud,” he said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
