MAKKAH, 27 January 2007 — Police in Makkah are saying that they’ve noticed an increase in the number of arrests of charlatans, who con people into believing they have special spiritual powers.
However, authorities there are unable to provide any statistical information regarding the number of arrests of such criminals.
What motivates a person to seek out the quackery?
According to Dr. Rajab Birsali, a psychologist at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, victims of such ruses tend to be people suffering from depression or other psychological issues, perhaps related to failing marriages or bad relations with family.
“Studies show that these people suffer from lack of confidence in themselves,” he said. “These people exploit the situation for money, or even to prey on women sexually.”
The charlatans often claim to be able to cure people using the Holy Qur’an, exploiting their victims’ religious faith, belief in the supernatural, or low education to cheat them out of money. In one arrest, police discovered a faith-healing shyster in possession of condoms in addition to his cabinet of questionable medicinal cures.
Authorities believe this to be evidence that the black-magic quack was interested in more than money.
One arrest occurred recently following a complaint that a faith healer tried to talk a woman into sex, claiming that it was part of the process. Another woman recorded a conversation with a faith healer who had requested she come to his house in lingerie.
Last week authorities busted another man after a sting operation where a woman lured him to her house and into custody. The man asked for thousands of riyals to perform a magical spell that the woman — who was working with the authorities — requested. She convinced him to make a house call where police were waiting.
