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Two Indian nationals in Toronto have pulled a scam on some innocent people, convincing them to cough up over $100,000 for a 'miracle' that would help them pass through a difficult period in their lives.
A report in the Toronto Star reveals that the scam was masterminded by Mohammad Umar Ashrafi, 43, a self-proclaimed Swami who assumed the name of Roshanbhai.
This 'spiritual healer' claimed that he could help people fix their family, health and business problems. He even told his gullible followers that he could help them win a lottery.
And these people, according to the Canadian daily, had to 'fork over money for a special ceremony and in some cases the amount was more than $100,000'.
Ashrafi and his accomplice Latafat Ali Khan duped dozens of people, mostly Sikhs, of over $3 million. The report states that the duo fled to Mumbai last month.
One of the victims, Paramjit Bhullar, 42, is the owner of a Toronto trucking firm: 'I'm coming forward because I want him to get caught so he can't rob anyone else,' he said.
He admitted of having been duped of $105,000.
Paramjit met Ashrafi and his accomplice Khan in suburban Mississauga, says the report. Ashrafi told Bhullar that his problems were the result of someone using black magic no him. He asked Bhullar to return after a few days with a dozen eggs.
'At the second meeting, Ashrafi proceeded to boil the eggs, on which Bhullar first had to write the names of his family members. Ashrafi cracked the cooked eggs open. On the egg with Bhullar's name on it, Ashrafi 'found' a piece of foil in the yolk, in which was tucked a Lotto 6/49 (lottery ticket) and Ashrafi claimed that these were winning numbers,' the report in the Canadian daily reveals.
Ashrafi asked Bhullar to pay $210,000, for 'special prayer material imported from India' which would ensure that he won the lottery.
When Bhullar told him that he couldn't afford such a big amount, Ashrafi demanded half of the money. Bhullar somehow managed to get the amount for him.
And there are 40 such stories of innocent people being duped by the duo.
Sadly for the police, victims of this scam are reluctant to come forward.
"A lot of people borrowed money to pay him without their spouses knowing, so they want to keep it a secret," Police Constable Michael MacDougall is quoted as saying.