Two individuals have been arrested for hypnotizing and defrauding elderly women in Batam, Kepulauan Riau, using mystical props like eggs and needles to manipulate their victims.
The city of Batam, Indonesia, witnessed a concerning crime where elderly individuals were targeted by hypnotists at shopping centers. The perpetrators, identified as HC and IS from South Sumatra, have been involved in similar crimes across multiple locations.
The criminals were apprehended by the Kepri Police Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the Batam City Police Crime Unit. They were caught in Lombok on August 30, 2024, after having fled there from Batam.
The suspects approached elderly women, convincing them they were cursed and needed to cleanse their money. HC communicated directly with the victims, while IS prepared the items used for the hypnotic suggestion. They managed to siphon 305 million IDR from the victims’ bank accounts.
The stolen money was squandered on lavish expenditures in Bali and Lombok, including gambling and hiring female companions.
The suspects have been charged under Article 378 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, facing up to five years in prison for fraud.
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Police are delving deeper into this case and have urged the public to report if they have been victims of similar crimes. There’s an ongoing call for vigilance among the public, especially the elderly, to avoid falling prey to such deceptive practices.
This case highlights a troubling trend targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, through psychological manipulation. The swift action by the police underscores the importance of community vigilance and the effectiveness of public cooperation in combating such crimes.
Police in Batam have arrested two individuals for defrauding elderly women using hypnosis, highlighting the need for public awareness about such deceptive practices.
