Friday, June 19, 2026
ADVT 
International

New Zealand Identifies Nine Indian-Origin Witch Doctors

IANS, 29 Jul, 2015 12:09 PM
    The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has identified nine Indian-origin "witch doctors" on the run after it came to light that they had duped vulnerable people, a media report said on Wednesday.
     
    Of the nine, five have already left the country, news channel 3News reported.
     
    "The individuals have been asked to respond to INZ's concerns before a decision is taken on what action to take," INZ assistant general manager Peter Devoy was quoted as saying.
     
    The "witch doctors" have targetted several people in the Indian community across the country, the channel said.
     
    An Auckland businessman recently filed a police complaint after a witch doctor duped him out of NZ$275,000 and left the country hours after receiving the cash.
     
    The black magic practitioners arrived from India on tourist or temporary work visas, revealed an undercover investigation by 3News recently.
     
    "INZ would strongly encourage people not to be taken in by anyone offering these types of services," Devoy said.
     
    The wall-to-wall advertisements promoting the so-called healers have been removed.
     
    In an earlier report, the news channel said that many of the fraudsters start with a $20 visit fee and guarantee 100 percent results, before going on to charge thousands to heal or bring back a lost lover.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Imran Khan's party imposes shut-down in Karachi

    Imran Khan's party imposes shut-down in Karachi
    Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan's party, protesting since August against the alleged rigging in the 2013 parliamentary elections...

    Imran Khan's party imposes shut-down in Karachi

    'MH17 wreckage should return to Malaysia'

    'MH17 wreckage should return to Malaysia'
    Former prime minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad said that the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 should be brought back...

    'MH17 wreckage should return to Malaysia'

    Evacuations, Rescue In Landslide That Partially Buried Vancouver Island House

    Evacuations, Rescue In Landslide That Partially Buried Vancouver Island House
    QUALICUM BEACH, B.C. — A dozen homes on southern Vancouver Island are under evacuation order at risk of a landslide after a bank collapsed, partially burying a two-storey home with a man inside.

    Evacuations, Rescue In Landslide That Partially Buried Vancouver Island House

    Coquitlam Teen Accused Of 'Swatting,' Setting Off False Alarms For Florida Police

    Coquitlam Teen Accused Of 'Swatting,' Setting Off False Alarms For Florida Police
    COQUITLAM, B.C. — A British Columbia teenager whose alleged prank phone calls and emails forced Florida police to lockdown a high school and send canine units and a helicopter to a home is now facing criminal charges.

    Coquitlam Teen Accused Of 'Swatting,' Setting Off False Alarms For Florida Police

    CIA fallout: Calls for prosecution echo in the wake of Senate torture report

    CIA fallout: Calls for prosecution echo in the wake of Senate torture report
    WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is fending off calls for criminal prosecution following the release of a damning report on the CIA's use of torture.

    CIA fallout: Calls for prosecution echo in the wake of Senate torture report

    Richard Rahul Verma confirmed as US envoy to India

    Richard Rahul Verma confirmed as US envoy to India
    The US Senate has confirmed Richard Rahul Verma, President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next American ambassador to India, making...

    Richard Rahul Verma confirmed as US envoy to India