MIRI: An elderly woman has lost about RM15,000 after allegedly being duped by three women posing as spiritual healers in a street scam near a market here, police said.
The victim, a local woman in her 60s, was approached at about 8.00 am on 4 March while walking near the Krokop wet market area.
According to investigators, one of the suspects, believed to be a foreign national, began a conversation by asking where she could buy red ginger, claiming she needed it to treat her sick husband.
Two other women then joined the conversation before persuading the victim to continue speaking inside a car parked behind the market, saying the weather was too hot to remain outside.
Once inside the vehicle, one of the suspects allegedly told the victim that the feng shui of her home was unfavourable and that negative spiritual forces were present which could bring misfortune to her and her family.
The women then claimed that a ritual cleansing was required to remove the supposed bad energy.
Police said the victim was instructed to prepare a handful of rice along with gold jewellery and cash, which were said to be necessary for the ritual.
Believing the claims, the woman later returned to her home and handed over rice, gold items and cash with an estimated total value of RM15,000.
The suspects placed the items in a bag and told the victim that it had been blessed and must not be opened for three days.
However, when the woman opened the bag on 6 March, she found only salt powder, two small bottles of mineral water and a packet of tissues inside.
Realising she had been cheated, the victim lodged a police report.
Miri district police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the case is being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating.
The offence carries a jail term of between one and ten years and may also include whipping and a fine upon conviction.
Farhan urged the public to remain vigilant and not to trust individuals claiming to possess supernatural abilities or offering ritual services in exchange for money or valuables.
Police also advised members of the public not to hand over cash or jewellery to strangers and instead to report suspicious approaches to the nearest police station.
Investigations are continuing.
