Bogus witches charging Russians a fortune to cast spells on cars and save petrol money
Russians keen to save money on their motoring bills are being scammed out of the equivalent of hundreds of pounds by bogus witches and wizards claiming to fix cars with spells
(Image: Getty Images)
Desperate Russians are being duped by fake wizards and witches into handing over cash to have their cars enchanted.
The bizarre-sounding scam has seen drivers scammed out of tens of thousands of rubles for bogus services that include vehicle hex removal, petrol enhancement as well as specialised spells to improve car performance.
A report published in Russian news site Bloknot and OddityCentral details the ways in which scammers will convince people that their supernatural abilities could save them money on their motoring costs, as many citizens look for any way to navigate what is a growing fuel price crisis in the country.
Russians have been falling for witch-related scams (Image: Getty Images)
One such scammer was found to be advertising the use of Nordic runes to boost fuel performance, while others promised candle lit ceremonies in order to provide savings on petrol.
One female self-described witch told a potential scam victim: ” Is the car next to you now? I’ve already ordered candles, I’ll light them now. I’ll get to work.”
“You go and take a video of your car for me within an hour. Everything inside. Send it to me, and I’ll send you a spell.”
Ceremonies involve candles, incense and runes
Another clairvoyant described in detail the bizarre ritual she had planned: “it goes like this: Everything is prepared, and then it’s lit, a runic stave is cast on the car, and a spell is cast on you to protect and preserve. It looks like the work is finished, there’s incense all around, everything.”
She went to detail the different runes used in the service, which she argued could help “preserve” the car from damage.
Another mystic specialised in persuading gullable drivers that their cars were haunted by malicious spirits, with one vehicle’s troubles being explained by the presence of a “villainous woman”.
Ukraine drone strikes have targeted Russian oil refineries (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
The mystic said: “I see a villainous woman, so five drops of gasoline are needed. For example, if you drop gasoline, then she disappears”.
Russia is facing growing fuel shortages in several regions due to a campaign of Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries, as well as trade embargoes issued as a result of the war between the two countries.
Furthermore, wider economic hardship faced by Russians has put the pressure on pockets, meaning many citizens to look desperately for ways to save.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
