In a bizarre incident that blurs the line between prophecy and crime, a Thai astrologer has been taken into custody for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from a teenage client. The theft occurred moments after he predicted she would face severe misfortune.
The Predicted Theft and Swift Arrest
The event unfolded in the early hours of January 1 outside a temple in Pattaya. The accused, a 38-year-old man, was offering fortune-telling services when 19-year-old Pim approached him around 6 AM. During the session, the astrologer warned Pim that she was about to lose something very valuable. He then reportedly asked for money to perform a ritual to avert this bad luck, which the young woman refused to pay.
Soon after leaving the spot, Pim realized her iPhone 13 Pro was missing. She recalled placing the device beside her during the consultation. Upon returning to the location and finding nothing, she filed a formal complaint with the Pattaya City Police.
A Flawed Alibi and Discovery
When initially questioned by the victim, the astrologer claimed the phone's disappearance only proved his prediction was accurate. He even provided a description of a supposed thief. This suspicious response prompted Pim to seek help from people nearby, who then called the police.
Officers conducted a search and found the missing smartphone concealed inside the astrologer's own bag. It was hidden inside a box meant for face masks. Confronted with the evidence, the man allegedly confessed to the theft. He begged Pim not to press charges, stating he needed money and was a first-time offender.
The police seized the recovered phone and the man's fortune-telling paraphernalia. The iPhone was returned to its rightful owner, and the astrologer remains in custody at the Pattaya City Police Station.
A Pattern of Deceit: Similar Scam in India
This incident echoes a similar case from India earlier this year. In January 2025, Bengaluru police arrested 42-year-old BM Venkataramana from Ramanagara district for allegedly stealing gold jewellery worth ₹8 lakh.
Posing as a mendicant fortune teller in March 2024, Venkataramana approached a homemaker in Virat Nagar. He convinced her to perform a ritual for her future, which involved placing her gold jewellery and rice into earthen pots. While chanting mantras, he secretly swapped the pot containing the gold with one filled only with rice.
The woman discovered the theft after he left and filed a complaint. Following a months-long investigation, police tracked down and arrested Venkataramana on January 10, 2025, after spotting him acting suspiciously during a patrol in Bommanahalli. The stolen gold was recovered from a finance shop where it had been pawned.
These cases serve as a stark reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging with individuals offering unsolicited spiritual or fortune-telling services, especially those demanding money or valuables during the session.
