A 33-year-old Queens man was busted in Long Island for getting a 68-year-old woman to pay $20,000 for fortune telling services, then convincing her to hand over another $42,000.
Nassau County police arrested Hemanth Kumar Muneppa in Hicksville Thursday on grand larceny charges in connection with an alleged scam that began early this month.
According to cops, the victim was first charged for soothsaying services at the practice of “spiritual healer” Anjana Ji on July 3 in Hicksville. When she returned for another reading a couple weeks later, Muneppa allegedly convinced her further payment was merited.
The woman was then driven to a bank, where she was warned she may be getting scammed. Cops said they were called for assistance, which began their investigation of the suspect. He was arrested without incident and expected to be arraigned Friday.
Anjani Ji didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The astrology service’s website offers services that include helping clients to “get your ex love back” and “stop separation.”
New York law states it’s illegal for fortune tellers to command a fee while claiming to be able to magically forecast the future for non-entertainment purposes.
