Mohammed Ashrafi, pictured, (50) tricked people into believing he was a holy man who could help them win the lottery – as long as they gave him tens of thousands of pounds. He was jailed for nine years last Saturday after he was convicted of 15 offences of fraud and one of blackmail.
The jury at Leicester Crown Court heard that Ashrafi – who went under the name Kamal-Ji – used sleight of hand and magic tricks to establish his credentials as a healer.
An unknown number of tricksters are operating in the city, advertising in foreign language newspapers or by putting business cards through letterboxes or leaving them on car windscreens.
Inspector Ben Gillard, commander of the East Area Neighbourhood policing area, which is covered by Keyham Lane and spinney Hill Park police stations, said: “Our advice is: if you have money worries, talk to someone like the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, if you are concerned about your health talk to your GP or if you have relationship problems there are professional and accountable counseling services.”
Roman Leszczyszyn, head of regulatory services for Leicester City Council, said: “We are pretty sure this is not an isolated case in Leicester. Our advice is ‘don’t get involved’.”
