Tuesday, June 16, 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

    Hindus In Malaysia Slam Cleric's Views On Garlanding PM Najib Razak

    Hindus In Malaysia Slam Cleric's Views On Garlanding PM Najib Razak
    Ethnic Indian Hindus in Malaysia have strongly criticised a Muslim cleric's suggestions that Prime Minister Najib Razak should not have donned a "Hindu" attire, nor should he have been garlanded at a "Hindu" ceremony, media reported Saturday.

    Hindus In Malaysia Slam Cleric's Views On Garlanding PM Najib Razak

    Parents Of Islamic States's American Hostage Hope She Is Alive

    Parents Of Islamic States's American Hostage Hope She Is Alive
    The parents of the female US aid worker kidnapped by the Islamic State (IS) refused to believe that she has been killed in Jordanian airstrikes as claimed by her captors, media reported Saturday.

    Parents Of Islamic States's American Hostage Hope She Is Alive

    'Pakistan No Place For Women'

    'Pakistan No Place For Women'
    Even Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and social activist Mukhtaran Mai are not being honoured in Pakistan as women still remained the most backward in the country, a leading daily said Saturday.

    'Pakistan No Place For Women'

    After Obama's Shots, NYT Asks Modi To Break His 'Dangerous Silence'

    After Obama's Shots, NYT Asks Modi To Break His 'Dangerous Silence'
    As President Barack Obama's comments that religious intolerance in India would have shocked Mahatma Gandhi raised a storm in India, the New York Times asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his "deafening silence."

    After Obama's Shots, NYT Asks Modi To Break His 'Dangerous Silence'

    India Affirms Commitment To Rights Of Girl Child

    India Affirms Commitment To Rights Of Girl Child
    Vowing to create a "world fit for children", India has reaffirmed its focus on the development of the girl child, ensuring her education and fighting to end discrimination.

    India Affirms Commitment To Rights Of Girl Child

    Obama Invokes India's Example To Condemn Religious Intolerance

    Obama Invokes India's Example To Condemn Religious Intolerance
    US President Barack Obama Thursday invoked India's example to make a plea for religious freedom and how faith leads people to do good and what's right but that faith also can be twisted to be used as a weapon.

    Obama Invokes India's Example To Condemn Religious Intolerance