A 33-year-old Indian-origin astrologer named Hemanth Kumar Muneppa has been arrested in New York City for allegedly scamming a 68-year-old woman. The woman believed she was being attacked by evil spirits and turned to Muneppa for help.
Muneppa claimed he could get rid of the evil spirits through special powers if she gave him money. The woman had already paid him $20,000. When she went to her bank to withdraw another $42,000, bank staff became suspicious and alerted the police. Muneppa was at the bank with the woman when police arrived and arrested him without any trouble.
He worked at a psychic and astrology business called Anjana Ji on South Broadway and posed as a fortune teller. According to News, he promised the woman that he could protect her from evil spirits—if she gave him more money.
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In a written statement to the police, Muneppa admitted to doing palm and astrology readings and said, “She gave me a bunch of money … all $100 bills.” He pleaded not guilty in court and was released without bail. However, the judge ordered him to wear an ankle monitor and stay away from the woman.
Fortune-Telling is Illegal in New York
New York law says it’s illegal to take money for fortune-telling unless it’s only for fun or entertainment. Charging people for claiming to remove curses or evil spirits is a Class B misdemeanor (a type of crime).
Muneppa, a father of two, did not make any public comments on the case. He now faces legal action for pretending to have supernatural powers and charging people for it.
