Police have charged a Brampton, Ontario, man with fraud, and the unusual charge of pretending to practice witchcraft. Sgt. Zahir Shah of the Peel Regional Police said that the accused allegedly promised to perform magic for money "and that (he) would be able to solve any and all of your problems."
The complainants allegedly paid the accused, who worked out of a large home. "Obviously he wasn't able to perform any magic and their problems remained unsolved," Shah alleged. The sergeant said that the charge of pretending to practice witchcraft "is not one we lay very often." An additional charge of fraud under $5,000 was also laid.
The charges were laid after a victim came forward to police. Officers said they don't yet know how many people may have been victimized, but they suspect the accused has been operating for more than one year.
Shah clarified that practicing witchcraft is not illegal, saying, "If you want to be a wiccan, that's your business." He added that someone is committing fraud if they say they have the ability to practice magic in return for money or a service. Yogendra Pathak, 44, was arrested on Monday. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 7.
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