By Tim Binnall
A faux fortune teller on Long Island saw his alleged swindling scheme go up in smoke thanks to diligent bank employees who uncovered the underhanded effort when his victim tried to make an eyebrow-raising withdrawal. According to a local media report, self-proclaimed psychic Hemanth Kumar Muneppa was arrested last Thursday outside of the financial institution in the community of Hicksville. Moments earlier, an unnamed 68-year-old woman attempted to withdraw a staggering $42,000 from her account. While it is uncertain what she specifically said to the bank teller, her explanation for the transaction was worrisome enough that employees suspected something was amiss and called the cops.
Officers arriving on the scene encountered Muneppa in the parking lot and learned that he had actually driven the woman to the bank so that she could make the massive withdrawal. While the victim was fortunate to have held on to the $42,000, a subsequent investigation found that she had previously paid the mystic a whopping $20,000 for protection from 'evil spirits.' Thankfully, Muneppa's proverbial second bite of the apple caught the attention of the bank employees, who should be commended for swiftly saving the woman from forking over even more money to the faux fortune teller.
Upon being questioned by authorities, the psychic perhaps unwisely told police, "I did a few palm readings and astrology readings. She gave me a bunch of money." Muneppa was subsequently charged with grand larceny and fortunetelling, to which he pleaded not guilty in an arrangement the following day. The case comes on the heels of a similar arrest in New York City earlier this month, wherein a psychic was accused of bilking his victim out of a jaw-dropping $90,000, suggesting that such swindlers may want to take their 'business' elsewhere, as authorities in the area are clearly on the lookout for such shenanigans.