Got hypnotized for cash
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Since the beginning of December, several people in Ho Chi Minh City have complained to the police about being robbed of money and other valuables after being “spellbound” by the thieves.
These thieves mostly seemed to target shopkeepers during quiet periods by pretending to be customers or home marketers. They would enter into lengthy conversations while staring into the victims’ eyes, making them drowsy.
The victims said they came under the thieves’ spell and docilely handed over their cash, cell phones, and jewelry.
This was exactly how it happened to Nguyen Manh Thin’s wife who runs a small grocery shop at home in Cay Dau Ward, District 9. When he had been out leaving his wife alone in the shop, two women had come in and spoke to her for long. After a while she had gone into a mesmerized state. Only after they had driven off did she realize she had given them all the cash in the till.
These evil wizards also approach pedestrians in public places. The most common trick is to pretend to ask for directions or a ride. Some also disguise themselves as street vendors, lottery ticket sellers, or motorbike mechanics.
Two women from Districts 3 and Binh Thanh reported they lost their money, cell phones, and jewelry after being merely patted by some strangers who accosted them on the street.
Many of the incidents happened near Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Hoang Van Thu Park in Tan Binh District, a known hangout of drug-users and prostitutes.
In reality, hypnotizing people to steal from them is not a new phenomenon. It was first reported in Viet Nam in 1975, according to Khong Nguyen, a kungfu teacher. The trick, after originating in the southern provinces and HCMC, has now spread all the way to Ha Noi.
Two years ago police caught three criminals from Hai Phong who stole VND65 million (US$3,300) and some gold from shopkeepers in Son La provinces on seven occasions.
Stole for ransom
According to the HCMC police, the thieves have added another trick to their repertoire – they extort money from victims for returning their documents.
Nguyen Van Dong of Phu Nhuan District told the police that he had been accosted by a woman and lost his wallet, camera, and some persona; papers. Later, when he was walking on the street, two men came on a motorbike and demanded VND500,000 for his papers.
Nguyen Thanh Huyen, a team leader at the Police Investigation Department, said that none of the burglars arrested recently admitted to using this trick.
Undercover officers are being sent to mingle with the public in suspected areas.
A kind of psychological distractions
Nguyen Ngoc Quang, director of The Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, said the hypnotic state is one in which victims’ brains were put into a hibernate mode that it weakened their consciousness; distracted their focus, and made them forget the present temporarily.
However, he stressed that hypnotization was a complicated technique, which did not work for just anybody regardless of their education and knowledge. Hypnotization required certain periods when the technique worked best such as in early mornings, noontimes and late evenings.
Khong Nguyen believed hypnotizers could self train to achieve a higher brain wave to dominate others’ minds and control them.
With highly skilled practices, they could charm others by just looking into their eyes.
Most defrauders engage in long talks with the victims till they become mesmerized. Hypnosis periods depend on each individual. Sometimes the victims would be distracted after only two minutes.
| Advice: Do not frequent deserted places Doctor Dao Tran Thai from the HCMC University of Pharmacy said that hypnotization only worked when the victims were alone and in a quiet place. Train to be strong: 10-15% of adults, who are physically and mentally weak, are prone to hypnosis, according to Doctor David Spiegel from Stanford University. So in order to be strong in body and mind, train your energy field by doing yoga, meditation, and other exercises, advised Khong Nguyen. Trust your instinct: According to Vo Van Ban, deputy director of HCMC-based FV Hospital, when you have any doubts about a stranger, do not talk to them. Do not look into their eyes for too long, and often move or look away so that they could not stare at your eyes or from behind your neck. Think about other things so you won’t focus too much on their story. When you feel a bit sleepy, tired in the eyes and body, immediately stop the conversation. |
