Police say don't give 'magician' your money

AJMAN // Police have arrested a man who allegedly conned people by promising to double their money using "Russian magic". The Russian suspect, identified as V A, 42, told people he could use magic he learnt in his home country to multiply funds, said Col Ali Alwan, the director general of Ajman Police. After receiving money from his victims he would disappear, according to police. Col Alwan said several of the scam's victims were aware of similar recent frauds by criminals who claimed they could use African magic to increase wealth, but they were enticed by the novelty of purported Russian magic. He said a sting operation was set up after one of the victims complained to police, who located the Russian and sent in an officer disguised as a client. "After sealing the deal, the officials arrested the criminal before he could take the police money to manipulate it." Police refused to give any further details of the case, including how much money was involved. The suspect has been referred to the Public Prosecution. Col Alwan warned people to ignore promises of increasing wealth through magic: "We want people to know that whether it is an African, European or Arab, the idea of manipulating one's wealth is a myth and a fraud." ykakande@thenational.ae