Gana PrakashPolice in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have arrested two conmen for duping a a local physician into buying an “Aladdin’s lamp” promising it would bring him wealth and health.
LA Khan filed a complaint with local police in Meeru, on October 25 stating the men had initially requested more than $200,000 from him for the oil lamp but settled for a down payment of $41,600.
He stated in his complaint that the defendants summoned a genie from the lamp dressed up as Aladdin as part of their ruse from The Arabian Nights tale.
Indian news agency NDTV reported that he first met the two men while treating a woman he believed was their mother. He had visited the supposed patient at her house for over a month for treatment.
“Gradually they started telling me about a baba (godman) whom they claimed also visited their home. They started brainwashing me and asked me to meet this baba,” the statement read.
Meerut police officer Amit Rai said the two men were suspected of defrauding other families using the same method.
He added that a third female suspect, the wife of one of the suspects who was also allegedly involved in the fraud is still at large.
C. Khor
CJMY
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