Evil spirit removal and $60,000 scam: Indian-origin astrologer arrested in US for scamming

The police said the man initially charged a woman $20,000 on July 3. It is illegal to charge for fortune telling services in New York.

Published on: Jul 21, 2025, 18:56:32 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

An Indian origin fortune teller was arrested in New York after charging a woman more than $60,000 for fortune telling.

The 33-year-old man, Hemanth Kumar Muneppa, is facing charges relating to grand larceny and fortune telling. (Representational Image: Unsplash)

The 33-year-old man, Hemanth Kumar Muneppa, is facing charges relating to grand larceny and fortune telling, according to CBS News.

Under New York state law, it is illegal to charge for fortune telling services, unless it is for entertainment purposes. “Telling fortunes”, “exorcising evil spirits”, or providing any sort of occult advice is classified as a Class B misdemeanor.

Nassau County Police said Muneppa was arrested from Hicksville on July 18.

The police said that the man initially charged a 68-year-old woman $20,000 for fortune telling services on July 3. The woman returned for additional services at Anjana Ji, CBS News reported.

The website of the company, located at on South Broadway, says it offers several services related to astrology, ranging from "evil spirit removal" to "love spell caster."

However, Muneppa asked the woman to pay an extra amount of $42,000, following which she was taken to a Broadway bank to withdraw the money.

When the woman went to withdraw the amount, the bank officials raised questions, thus eventually calling in the police when they learnt it was for psychic services.

“The victim was advised she may be being scammed, and police were called for assistance,” the Nassau County Police Department said.

Muneppa was arrested in the parking lot, and was produced before a court on Friday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the New York Post. He was later released on bail, but will still have to wear an ankle monitor.

Meanwhile, a local clothing store owner Mehwish Saeed told NBC4 that the employees working at the astrologers' were “just making people a fool”. “Playing with somebody’s feelings and giving them false hope. That’s really bad,” she said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.