German clairvoyant jailed for fraud 01/03/2007 00:00

1 March 2007

Konstanz, Germany (dpa) - A clairvoyant who made off with a family fortune after promising to rid it of a curse was given a three-year-jail sentence for fraud on Thursday.

A court in the southern German city of Konstanz convicted the 60-year-old man of cheating a metal worker and his wife out of cash and three luxury cars worth 146,000 euros (191,000 dollars).

The couple had handed over their possessions to the clairvoyant in 2005 for "spiritual cleansing" in the belief the objects were under a curse and the cause of a mystery illness affecting the pair.

The fortune-teller failed to return the valuables as agreed, leaving the couple penniless and forcing them to live from social security, the court heard.

The defendant "shamelessy took advantage of a defenceless couple and ruined an entire family," then presiding judge said when passing sentence.

The clairvoyant, who was convicted of a similar offence against a widow a decade ago, admitted to defrauding the couple, but said he was unable to pay them restitution.

A doctor later found out that the mystery ailment was caused by toxic varnish used in the couple's home.

DPA

Subject: German news