Birmingham: A Birmingham man has been jailed for seven and a half years after pleading guilty to 22 offences under the Theft Act 1968 and Fraud Act 2006 at a hearing held in April this year. Abdoulie Gassama of Slade Road, Erdington claimed to be a successful faith healer and defrauded several women of around £145,000.
"This man has cynically exploited three vulnerable women, who sought his help in what must have been very traumatic and trying times. Not only did he make, and break, a string of empty promises, he gave them expensive false hope that their situations would improve, if they paid for extra prayers or sacrificial animals," said Cllr Barbara Dring, chair of the city council's Licensing and Public Protection Committee. "Sadly it is easy to be seduced by the offer of a 'quick fix' but people should be very wary of paying any individual promising to solve their problems in this manner, instead they should seek advice through professional channels." Birmingham City Council will now pursue confiscation proceedings against Gassama under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Gassama advertised his services under pseudonyms Shaikh Jammal and Shaikh Riyad in different local and Asian newspapers, claiming over 40 years' experience and guaranteed results. He met his clients at a flat in Malvern Road, Handsworth, initially charging £20 but later asking for extra money for prayers, special medicines and sacrificial animals, including cows and crocodiles. While there was no set fee structure, he would demand extra pay ranging from £377 to £17,000. This ended up with a woman handing him more than £134,000 over seven months, as she tried to make her husband quit alcohol. Although a Muslim by religion, a raid at Gassama's property showed several photos and idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, proof of the extent he went to influence people.
There are no lack of such healers in the UK, who claim to free the vulnerable of all their problems. While they exercise one faith, they cater to all, especially targeting women, making way for an expansive income. Such babas, faith healers or those who use black magic to make money are often endorsed by some newspapers, who feature their advertisement promoting a "permanent solution" to all problems, personal and professional. 'Asian Voice' and 'Gujarat Samachar' do not believe in such false claims, con men or persons who engage in emotional and other types of exploitation of vulnerable women.
If any of the readers have been deceived by similar frauds and/or 'healers', please contact Asian Voice or the trading standard department of your local council. Your name and identity will be kept a secret.
