Abu Dhabi Police: Magic vow to help couples at war 'was a scam'

Two women have been arrested on suspicion of conning sparring spouses into handing over cash with a promise of solving their marital problems - using witchcraft.

Abu Dhabi Police say the duo, who are both African, were charging Dhs50,000 in exchange for putting rocky relationships back on the right track.

Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammed Burshid, head of CID at Abu Dhabi Police, said the force received a tip-off about the women’s spellbinding antics last month and sent in an undercover officer to investigate the pair.

The female undercover agent contacted the duo - a 36-year-old hairdresser and 50-year-old visitor - claiming that she was in conflict with her husband and wanted it resolved.

The suspects assured the agent they could help solve her problems by using sorcery.

“Police raided the suspects’ apartment after setting a trap,” said Burshid. “They arrested the pair when the two women handed over materials used in witchcraft to our undercover police officer.”

Burshid added: “They asked her to pay Dhs50,000 as the fee for the sorcery service.

“The women also told the undercover agent to cut some hair from her husband while he was asleep and bring it

with her as it would be added to the witchcraft.”

Investigations by police revealed the suspects were

carrying out the alleged activities in a women’s hair salon and in their apartment in Abu Dhabi.

After arresting the duo, police searched the apartment and found various items that could be used for sorcery, including pieces of hair, coins, and riddles in the form of pyramids.

Police officers said that they also found rolls of cotton wool and herbs allegedly used in witchcraft. The team also seized mobile phones from the two suspects.

Officers said that during initial investigations the suspects confessed to practicing witchcraft. As well as marriage problems the duo also allegedly claimed they could solve other family disputes.

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