Lalmatia: 2 Indians posing as clairvoyants arrested

A simple hand reading was followed by an attempt to extract money from a retiree. Two Indian nationals, aged 22 and 23, were arrested after being caught trying to solicit locals, presenting themselves as clairvoyants and palmistry specialists.

The events took place on Thursday in Lalmatie. The two men entered the courtyard of a woman (63 years old) and told her that they were able to predict her future and help her thanks to their powers. After examining the palm of his hand, they demanded Rs 2,000 from him for their “services”.

The sixty-year-old refused to give in to their demands, only giving them Rs 500. The rapid intervention of the Lalmatie police, however, put an end to their scheme before they could continue their activities.

Police learned that the suspects were staying at a guest house in Rose-Hill. Asked about their approach, they responded in English: “We are palmistry readers helping people. No passport with us. »Arrested, they were then placed in detention at the Moka detention center.

This case highlights a practice that regularly resurfaces in Mauritius where strangers travel through neighborhoods presenting themselves as clairvoyants, healers or fortune tellers with the aim of obtaining money from often vulnerable people.

As recently as last April, police arrested four Chinese nationals who claimed to have clairvoyant gifts. They had defrauded a retiree in Port Louis by stealing her money and jewelry.

The police call on the population to exercise the greatest caution and to immediately report any suspicious approach of this kind.