One New York woman thought she had found someone who could help her banish the darkness from her life. After seeking guidance at a Hicksville-based psychic business called Anjana Ji, she believed she was taking the first step toward finding peace. The 68-year-old woman, described by investigators as vulnerable and trusting. She wanted relief from what she feared were supernatural forces targeting her, until it cost her more than she bargained for.
Authorities say the New York woman was introduced to 33-year-old Hemanth Kumar Muneppa, who claimed to possess the mystical power to fight off evil spirits. She handed over $20,000 in hopes he could perform a spiritual cleansing. Muneppa, however, allegedly saw her fear as an opportunity to take advantage.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, Muneppa wasn’t done after receiving the initial payment. Investigators say he attempted to extract an additional $42,000 from the woman. He even went as far as to drive her to the bank himself. Fortunately, a quick-thinking bank employee intervened after suspecting the woman was being scammed. Police were called to the scene and arrested Muneppa in the bank’s parking lot, according to NBC News.
“Playing with somebody’s feelings and giving them false hope, that’s really bad,” a local business told New York reporters. They even stated that her daughter had also visited the shop and allegedly got suckered by false promises. “They’re just making people a fool, so they deserve to be punished.”
Now facing multiple charges, including third-degree grand larceny and fortune telling, the self-proclaimed spiritual guide has pleaded not guilty. As a married father of two, the fallout from these accusations could follow him far beyond the courtroom.
New York Psychic Nailed For Phony Ghostbusting
Under New York law, fortune telling becomes a crime when money changes hands in exchange for promises to affect spirits, remove curses, or provide answers through supposed occult powers. Unless it’s all clearly for entertainment purposes. This case, police allege, went far beyond harmless fun.
Concerns have even spread in the local community, where some residents say they, too, may have been misled by similar claims from the same business. The fine line between belief and manipulation is once again being tested in court, with real financial and emotional consequences.
For those who seek out spiritual comfort, psychic services often offer a sense of hope. But when trust is exploited and desperation is turned into dollar signs, that hope can quickly become a nightmare. As this case unfolds, it’s a spooky reminder that sometimes, the real demons aren’t the ones you’re trying to exorcise. But the ones who smile and offer to help.
Casey James 
Sabrina Russell 
Hunter Spears 
