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Jail sentence for “faith healer” who netted £145,000 from victims (27 June 2016)

Date: 27/06/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Jail sentence for “faith healer” who netted £145,000 from victims

Birmingham City Council has prosecuted a man claiming to be a successful faith healer, after he defrauded several women of £145,000.

In April 2016, Abdoulie Gassama, 34, of Slade Road in Erdington, Birmingham pleaded guilty to 22 offences under the Theft Act 1968 and Fraud Act 2006.

In June at Birmingham Crown Court, Gassama was jailed for seven-and-a- half years

Gassama advertised his services under the pseudonyms Shaikh Jammal and Shaikh Riyad in a number of local and Asian newspapers – and claimed to have 40 years’ experience, with guaranteed results.

Birmingham City Council brought the prosecution as a result of complaints made to Trading Standards officers between December 2014 and March 2015 from several women who had responded to the advertisements, seeking to solve family and financial problems.

Gassama met his clients at a flat in Malvern Road in Handsworth, Birmingham – and would initially charge £20 for the first session, but then asked for extra fees for prayers, special medicines and sacrificial animals, including cows and crocodiles.

Trading Standards found, however, that there appeared to be no set fee structure, with Gassama demanding extra payments ranging from £377 to £17,000 – which led to one woman handing him more than £134,000 over seven months, after he had promised her that her husband would give up drinking.

Chair of the city council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, Councillor Barbara Dring, said:

“This man has cynically exploited three vulnerable women, who sought his help in what must have been very traumatic and trying times.

“Not only did he make and break a string of empty promises – he gave them expensive false hope that their situations would improve if they paid for extra prayers or sacrificial animals.

“Sadly, it is easy to be seduced by the offer of a ‘quick fix’ – but people should be very wary of paying any individual promising to solve their problems in this manner; instead, they should seek advice through professional channels.”

The seven-and-a-half year jail sentence comprises 18 months for five offences against one victim and two years for seven offences against a second victim, to be served concurrently – as well as four years for nine offences against the third victim, to be served consecutively; and two years for a money laundering offence.

Birmingham City Council said it would pursue confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which will take place at a later date.

Duncan Lewis Fraud Lawyers

Duncan Lewis fraud lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge involving fraud, including misrepresentation, ID theft, hacking and IT fraud, financial fraud, company fraud and white collar crime.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

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Duncan Lewis is also able to advise on Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

For expert legal advice on fraud charges, call Duncan Lewis fraud solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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