Fraudulent "psychic" arrested for $800,000 fraud

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018...une-teller

This shit is fucking awful.

These disgusting frauds make genuine psychics and mediums look less trustworthy in the eyes of the ignorant and naive.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018...une-teller

This shit is fucking awful.

These disgusting frauds make genuine psychics and mediums look less trustworthy in the eyes of the ignorant and naive.

Has this Nygaard character ever investigated a psychic and found them to be “genuine”?

It's interesting that in the linked previous article on Nygaard, it's noted that professing to foretell the future is illegal in New York state, though the law is rarely invoked.

It's interesting that in the linked previous article on Nygaard, it's noted that professing to foretell the future is illegal in New York state, though the law is rarely invoked.

So I suppose the weather forecasters must be skating on thin ice. Do they foretell the future, or profess to do so?

So I suppose the weather forecasters must be skating on thin ice. Do they foretell the future, or profess to do so?

Yes, that crossed my mind too.

The wording of the statute is:
A person is guilty of fortune telling when, for a fee or compensation which he directly or indirectly solicits or receives, he claims or pretends to tell fortunes, or holds himself out as being able, by claimed or pretended use of occult powers, to answer questions or give advice on personal matters or to exorcise, influence or affect evil spirits or curses; except that this section does not apply to a person who engages in the aforedescribed conduct as part of a show or exhibition solely for the purpose of entertainment or amusement.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/165.35

Apparently that means that if someone could genuinely tell fortunes by means of real psychic powers, it would be illegal for them to charge a fee for doing it.

Yes, that crossed my mind too.

The wording of the statute is:
A person is guilty of fortune telling when, for a fee or compensation which he directly or indirectly solicits or receives, he claims or pretends to tell fortunes, or holds himself out as being able, by claimed or pretended use of occult powers, to answer questions or give advice on personal matters or to exorcise, influence or affect evil spirits or curses; except that this section does not apply to a person who engages in the aforedescribed conduct as part of a show or exhibition solely for the purpose of entertainment or amusement.
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/165.35

Apparently that means that if someone could genuinely tell fortunes by means of real psychic powers, it would be illegal for them to charge a fee for doing it.

Ok, I guess weather forecasters don't usually invoke occult powers or evil spirits as part of their work, do they? Or maybe it is classed as entertainment.

Ok, I guess weather forecasters don't usually invoke occult powers or evil spirits as part of their work, do they? Or maybe it is classed as entertainment.

I always used to blame the weather man when it rained!

Ok, I guess weather forecasters don't usually invoke occult powers or evil spirits as part of their work, do they? Or maybe it is classed as entertainment.

Or at least amusement.