A 30-year-old restaurateur from Bengaluru, Kashif, fell victim to a fraudster posing as an exorcist, losing ₹31 lakh in cash, gold, and silver. Kashif, who runs the restaurant Sadda Adda in Hunasamaranahalli, turned to Syed Freed Hussain, an alleged astrologer and exorcist, for help with his failing business.
Kashif was introduced to Hussain by a friend, Riyaz, who claimed the man could resolve his financial woes. During his visit, Hussain falsely claimed that the restaurant was haunted by a malevolent spirit. Kashif agreed to a “ritual package” costing ₹2.7 lakh.
The fraud escalated as Hussain fabricated more stories, alleging issues like Kashif’s wife’s supposed infidelity, his mother’s impending problems, and his brother’s potential mental health issues. Each claim was tied to expensive rituals, leading Kashif to pay ₹22.4 lakh online, ₹6.4 lakh in cash, and additional amounts in gold and silver items.
The scam unfolded between June 9 and August 31, with Hussain extracting payments until suspicion arose. After a complaint was filed, police registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 352 (intentional insult). Hussain initially denied the accusations but has since gone incommunicado.
Efforts are underway to trace Hussain and investigate the matter further.
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