Authorities have arrested a man from Queens who claims to be a fortuneteller. He allegedly scammed a 68-year-old woman out of thousands of dollars and faces multiple charges, including Grand Larceny.
According to a news release by the Nassau County Police Department, officers arrested 33-year-old Hemanth Kumar Muneppa on July 17. Detectives say a 68-year-old woman paid Muneppa $20,000 USC for fortunetelling services on July 3. She reportedly spent another $42,000 USC for the service on July 17. The news release explains that the woman was driven to a bank on Broadway that day to withdraw the funds.
Authorities say someone advised the woman that she may be getting scammed, and the police provided assistance. Following an investigation, officers arrested Muneppa in a parking lot without incident.
A report by NBC New York sheds more light on what happened prior to the arrest. The outlet explains that the woman paid over $20,000 for the “power to fight evil spirits.”
The Fortuneteller Faces Multiple Felony Charges
Per NBC, Muneppa has no criminal record. He reportedly told prosecutors in writing, “I did a few palm readings and astrology readings. She gave me a bunch of money. They were all $100 bills and was a stack about an inch tall.” The outlet also confirms that Muneppa drove her to the bank in an attempt to take more money. Someone in the bank notified authorities, and officers quickly arrived at the scene.
The Nassau County Police Department lists the charges against Muneppa. He is charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree, and two counts of Fortune Telling. The latter isn’t illegal in every state but is a felony in New York. Per CBS News, Fortunetelling is a “Class B Misdemeanor.”
Per the NY Senate, A person is guilty of fortune telling when, for a fee or compensation which he directly or indirectly solicits or receives, he claims or pretends to tell fortunes, or holds himself out as being able, by claimed or pretended use of occult powers, to answer questions or give advice on personal matters or to exorcise, influence or affect evil spirits or curses.”
The law states that fortunetelling for entertainment purposes is still legal.