‘Wizard’ Nabbed in $10K Talisman Scam in Siem Reap

[geovalin]

 

 

A self-styled wizard has been arrested in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province after allegedly conning a woman out of $10,000 for a fake “magical” talisman.

 

Sim Sinan, a 33-year-old fortune teller from Russey Lok village, was taken into custody following a complaint lodged via the emergency hotline 1296. The victim, Nh Sokkhim, claimed she was duped into believing a bronze cow possessed sacred powers and could be activated through a ritual.

 

According to the Siem Reap Provincial Military Police, the scam began in March when Sinan convinced Sokkhim that the object could fetch tens of thousands of dollars if properly awakened. He demanded $10,000 to perform the ritual, which Sokkhim paid in a mix of U.S. dollars and Cambodian riel.

 

The deception unravelled on 7 August, when Sokkhim arrived to collect the talisman and discovered it was a worthless imitation. Authorities swiftly moved in, and Sinan was handed over to the Siem Reap Provincial Court for legal proceedings.

 

The case has sparked renewed concern over spiritual fraud in Cambodia, where belief in magic and fortune telling remains widespread. While many practitioners operate legitimately, incidents like this highlight the risks faced by vulnerable individuals seeking supernatural solutions.

 

Military police have urged the public to remain cautious and report suspicious activity. As for Sinan, he now faces the very real consequences of conjuring a scam that failed to vanish.

 

 

-2025-08-10