A campaign has been launched in Leicester to raise awareness of fake faith healers following the conviction of Mohammed Ashrafi last month. He claimed to be a healer and conned victims out of more than £500,000. Ashrafi was jailed for nine years.
Leicestershire Police has joined forces with Leicester City Council trading standards and community leaders, to raise awareness within Asian communities of the dangers of bogus faith healers.
The campaign is designed to re-iterate to the community, that these people are committing fraud and need to be reported to the authorities.
Posters and leaflets have also been produced in various languages which will be distributed in those areas where concerns have been raised about faith healers offering their services.
A victim who was duped out of more than £60,000 by fake faith healer, Ashrafi, said, “Words can’t describe how this incident has made me feel, the whole ordeal has completely taken over and destroyed my life.
“Ashrafi came into my life when I was suffering from ill-health and took advantage of my vulnerability. When I look back now I feel intimidated and abused, the way he manipulated me and my family with such ease, makes me feel sick.
“I am pleased that he has been convicted for these callous crimes but his sentence will never be enough for the torment he has put me, my family and all the victims through.
