Shakuntala Devi of India is misusing her mathematical fame to defraud Indians living in US who are in some kind of trouble and hope that she can provide a solution. She has defrauded many with $501,$1001,$2001. She runs a fly by night operation from an apartment pr a Hotel with 2 other women accomplices on a periodic basis visiting from India.
Her modus operandi: She would ask for $101 in cash for the consultation for asking number of questions if you give her your date and place, time of birth. Then, she makes some crosses on a sheet of paper and tells you that you are in trouble but she can not tell what. Then she will offer you to ask her few questions. Any question you ask, she will point to $501 or $701 additional charge for a remedy, $701 being a better remedy. In $501 she will give a silver pendant called “Tavez” and in $701 she will give you a copper plate called “yantra “ and some times she will give you a coconut or a lemon with red and yellow lines on it tied with black thread. People in trouble, specially women give in to this fraudulent scheme of hers and then she rushes you out of the apartment or Hotel where she stays, before you change your mind. She is working with 2 other women in the apartment for whom she asks you to pay another $10 in cash who make up the credit card charge slip. She also makes sure to put a stamp on the credit card slip that this is non-refundable and no returns. She has defrauded many people like that who are in some kind of trouble in their life and many times after using radio or newspapers to advertise for her but than after using their services refuses to pay them also. For confirmation you can check with "Navtrang " News paper in Australia, Rohit Revo of "The Indian" news paper in Australia. Check with Indian community in New Zealand and also check the New Paper " The Indialink" in New Zealand. It is a shame that she has stooped to such low levels.
I would like to warn people and advertising service providers and also confirm with others before they get duped by her scheme.
