Bahraini 'sorcerer' jailed for cheating couple out of BD100,000, jewellery, cars and land

TDT | Manama              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini man masquerading as a sorcerer has been slapped with a three-year prison term after being found guilty of swindling unsuspecting victims out of more than BD100,000 and valuables, including jewellery and cars.

According to court records, the 29-year-old managed to deceive his victims, a Bahraini couple, by convincing them that their possessions were cursed and that he had the power to remove the hexes.

Exploiting their vulnerability, he absconded with the couple’s jewellery, two cars, and even a plot of land. The chain of events leading to this audacious exploitation began when the accused approached the couple, feigning spiritual healing abilities.

Though the husband initially dismissed the man’s claims, he later fell into the trap after an oil provided by the suspect miraculously healed his neck injury. The accused concocted a mixture of oil and honey, instructing the wife to apply it to her husband’s wound. Surprisingly, the remedy appeared to work, leading the couple to place their trust in the charlatan.

Subsequent meetings with the accused revealed his insidious intent, as he convinced the couple that their daughter was possessed by an evil jinn (genie), warning them of potential harm unless immediate action was taken.

Exploiting their fear and gullibility, the imposter claimed that the couple’s land in Diraz had also been cursed and demanded its transfer to him as a means of breaking the spell and restoring its value.

Blinded by the deceptive charm, the couple willingly complied with the accused’s unjust demands after consuming oils and honey provided by him. However, the imposter’s greed knew no bounds.

He proceeded to manipulate the couple into believing that the wife’s jewellery was also cursed and required spiritual cleansing. Under this pretext, the defendant allegedly pocketed BD7,000 and failed to return the stolen items.

To further his vile scheme, the accused implanted a false notion in the woman’s mind, suggesting that her coworkers had placed a black-magic curse on her. Exploiting her fears, he demanded BD9,000 to remove the curse, but the exhausted couple could only gather BD7,000.

Undeterred, the fraudulent sorcerer cooked up yet another plot, persuading the man to sell him a car valued at BD4,000 to cover the remaining expenses. He claimed that the vehicle was possessed by a vengeful jinn and could not be easily sold.

However, suspicion arose when the couple unexpectedly spotted the accused driving their car. As the intricate web of deception unravelled, the defendant also managed to lure the victims into a joint business venture, proposing the opening of a restaurant in April 2021.

The couple entrusted the accused with handling the daily revenues, ranging from BD5 to BD20, while they assumed responsibility for paying the salaries. Ultimately, the imposter vanished without a trace.

This shocking case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by deceitful individuals who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain. The sentence handed down highlights Bahrain’s commitment to bringing justice to those who engage in such fraudulent activities.