'Witch' arrested for claiming magical powers

An Egyptian man has been arrested after allegedly conning people out of as much as Dh7,000.

An Egyptian man has been arrested after claiming to be a "witch" with special powers and allegedly conning people out of as much as Dh7,000 (US$1,900). AA, who works as a plaster expert for a construction company, said he could cure relationship problems, undo magic spells and save people from the effects of the evil eye. Lt Col Mohammed al Rashdi, the head of the Al Ain CID, said the department set up a trap to catch the man after receiving a tip-off.

An undercover female CID officer approached the suspect, claiming to have problems with her husband and asking for his help to restore the intimacy in her marriage. In a telephone conversation, AA told the woman he could help her relationship by casting a spell for Dh3,000. He asked the undercover officer to bring him some ingredients to prepare a spell. However, she refused to go, saying she was not able to purchase the substances he requested, and that she could give him only money.

When police raided AA's house, they found books that invoked the presence of jinn (supernatural spirits), amulets and pieces of deer skin, in addition to women's lingerie, which he requested from his victims to complete his spells. The defendant confessed to the charges and said he had defrauded six women in the past five months. He said he met his victims in shopping malls and public areas, and that they sought his services after hearing of his supposed skills and expertise from other women.

AA said he regretted what he had done, and that he had been under the lure of the devil. Col Rashdi said he was concerned women in a modern, well-educated and ethical society had been driven to follow such practices that contradicted logic, Islam and the law. @email:[e-mail]