Amid Superstition: Three Women Scam a Chinese Woman Out of Rs 720,000

A 57-year-old Chinese supervisor claims she fell victim to a superstition scam on Sunday, April 19, in Port-Louis. Under the influence of a trio of women who presented themselves as capable of lifting a family curse, this resident of Rose-Hill handed over jewelry and currency, resulting in a total loss of Rs 720,000. The Trou-Fanfaron police are searching for the suspects, who are believed to have committed similar crimes before.

According to the complaint, the incident began around 9 a.m. at the intersection of La Corderie and Royale streets. The victim was walking when a woman approximately 50 years old, dressed in black jeans and wearing a white hat, approached her. She inquired if the victim knew a local resident who was said to be a fortune teller. Despite the victim's attempt to continue on her way, a second woman, in her forties, joined the conversation, claiming that this man was a healer who had previously treated her husband.

The two strangers accompanied the victim to a shop on Royale Street. They were then joined by a taller third woman, approximately 1.70 m tall and wearing red glasses. Introducing herself as the fortune teller's granddaughter, she made alarming statements about an imminent "great disaster" targeting the victim's son. She explained that only a purification ritual, requiring the gathering of gold and valuable items kept at home, could avert this danger.

The victim also described a disturbing modus operandi. She noted that one of the suspects repeatedly touched her shoulder, causing her discomfort. She subsequently gathered two gold necklaces, a diamond ring, and a total of Rs 18,000, 40 euros, 20 US dollars, and 5 RMB in cash. The three suspects seized the bag containing these items and handed her a simple piece of paper in exchange, assuring her that the danger had been averted.