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Are All Psychics & Fortune Tellers Fakes?

The forum now appears to be under new management and has been reopened but the main site domain is up for sale!
 
I think an organised 'Bad Psychic' evening at a haunted location would be an excellent idea. Boooze, late picnic and a prize for best 'orb'pic.
Anyone up for this?
 
Bad Psychic and/or Dramatic Effects

While there have been many pretend psychics who are total frauds, many genuine psychics through history have not been above "putting a little icing on the cake" for dramatic effect.

The great Italian medium Eusapia Palladino is a classic example. Investigators used to catch her attempting to pull off crude grade school-level parlor magic tricks at the very same time that "psychic" winds swept the seance chamber, moving the furniture and rattling the windows.

And the Rev. Arthur Ford, the Disciples of Christ minister who is generally regarded as a having been a sincere medium, used to "read scriptures" (that is, study biographical accounts) concerning both his clients and their departed before sitting with them.

I once read an extremely convincing account of a 19th Century European diplomet's visit to a native seer in Cairo. (The record was compiled by the diplomat himself and was in fact part of his autobiography.)

In this case, the seer seems to have been genuine, since his prophecies proved true in spades.

Yet even this seer used "trickery." With each of his pronouncements he passed his hands over a smoking brazier in front of him with the result that different-colored flames rose from the convex dish.

Doubtless the seer had palmed copper sulphate and potassium permanganate or had these powdery chemicals concealed in his finger rings.

But since the prophecies CAME TRUE should we call this "trick" with the flames a fraud....or just a dramatic effect?

Remember, it seems to be generally agreed that physicians would find themselves with a drastically lowered cure rate if they all suddenly gave up the "magic vestments" of their honorable profession - that is, the white smock, the stethoscope and the head reflector.

"I started feeling better from the moment Doc put on his head reflector" is a statement I've heard all my life.
 
As I have explained elsewhere on here, I have sometimes tried to demonstrate 'cold reading' by making random guesses. The next stage is to 'work' the wrong guesses and make them look right.

Unfortunately, I'd guess right first time, defeating the object. Gave it up in the end. :(

So what's that about then? :lol:
 
Unfortunately, I'd guess right first time, defeating the object. Gave it up in the end.

So what's that about then?
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Maybe it didn't skip a generation at all :D
 
:lol: Yup! there is hope for me yet.

Great fun though - failed cold reading.
 
Predicting the Future

Years ago, before daily newspapers went to computer-controlled composition, I developed a minor reputation for predicting the future among dining table companions.

In those days newspapers ran a LOT of short news item "fillers" - dozens per issue. Many were buried in the back pages of the front section of the paper, with individual items often running no more than 20-50 words each, just long enough to fill in the blank spaces left at the end of the regular news columns.

So I'd read that there were food riots in Upper Boldavia which were threatening to spill over into Boldavia proper.

Thus I'd deliver my 'prophecy' - "We're soon going to hear news of civil war in Boldavia, especially in the northern reaches."

I learned this trick in high school from a slightly older youth.

With the mutipllicity of news reports (and news rumors) on the Internet, it can actually be worked again.

Which probaly explains why we read read newspapers less than we previously did.
 
Yup, I have done that too!

In the mid 1970s, I was in a sociology lecture where we were asked to make predictions about what would happen in world events.

I had read a tiny article about the future of the British Left, and pronounced that a more European-type, Social Democratic wing of the party would split off and become a powerful force in politics.

This was well before the Gang of Four's antics!

I was laughed at. I was only 17, and a girl, after all, so what did I know?

In 1981 I read a passing mention of a huge famine forthcoming across Africa, with which the established charities and aid foundations would be unable to cope. Something new would have to be tried by the West (as it was known then) to counteract it. An entirely different method of raising both funds and awareness...

I trotted this out in a university sociology degree class and was again disbelieved. Along came Saint Bob... ;)

My point is the same as OTR's - the information might be there in peeps' faces if they only care to look. :D
 
I especially distruct the "psychics" who appear on late-night radio telephone-in shows and do "readings" two or three to the minute. Though I believe that genuine psychics exist, the gaining of knoweldge in a paranormal manner is always to some extent a crisis phenomenon, and I doubt that even the World's Greatest Genuine Psychic (flashing signs! neon lights!) can "crisis" herself/himself 150 times per hour.

On the other hand the documented successes of at least a handful of police psychics became apparent more than 20 years ago.
 
Local Healers' Business Cards

Two business cards have been put through my letter-box this year. Identical in style, I suspect they are from the same person but the phone numbers are different. Mr Isouma seems very keen to meet someone. I picture him as a huge West African with a booming voice and colourful robes. Somehow, I think I wouldn't get a word in edgeways. No, he's not my type; I think he perspires alot. Mr Khalil at least offers the chance to pay afterwards so he can't have been whoring long. Yes, I have been pondering those things not mentioned.

Personally I am not even sure that I want to succeed in depression, anti-social behaviour and impotency. Perhaps this uncertainty has prevented much success in those fields so far? I don't know if family protection is a euphemism for condoms or involves sending someone their son's ears with an SAE for payment. OK, I'm new to that scene too.

As for bringing back lost loved ones: I know they do it in some countries but Manchester's climate is terrible for mummification. Recreating all those dinner-parties of yesteryear would be very messy. Best let them rest. Full texts follow:

Mr Sheikh Isouma

I am a specialist clairvoyant with special gifts from God

If you have seen someone and it never worked out, then try me.
I will reveal everything from the past to the present and future etc.
If you have the following problems - work, exams, court, love, black magic, protection, depression.

GUARANTEED RESULTS WILL BE SEEN AFTER YOU MEET WITH ME

Two Mobile Phone Numbers, one tippexed out.


Sheikh Khalil
Pay after Results!
International spiritual healer and adviser -
Do you sometimes feel that something is going wrong in your life?
Don't hesitate call:- Sheikh Khalil

I can help you solve all your worries and matters regarding:-
Bringing back lost loved ones, breaking the power of black magic,
help you succeed in business, family protection, depression,
anti-social behaviour, infertility, impotency and so many other
things not mentioned.

For more information call:-
Telephone Numbers: Manchester & Mobile
Results are quick and guaranteed

:?
 
Re: Local Healers' Business Cards

JamesWhitehead said:
I will reveal everything from the past to the present and future etc.
......
Two Mobile Phone Numbers, one tippexed out.
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He didn't foresee losing his mobile phone then?
 
i get one of these about every 6 months or so, mentioned Psychic Suema a while back on the fraudulent psychics thread...

...the one called Shark Abdurham was my favourite... i mean, how far would you trust a man called Shark?

started out reporting them to the advertising standards agency, but they can't always do much, and now i can't be bothered...
 
BlackRiverFalls said:
i get one of these about every 6 months or so, mentioned Psychic Suema a while back on the fraudulent psychics thread...

...the one called Shark Abdurham was my favourite... i mean, how far would you trust a man called Shark?

started out reporting them to the advertising standards agency, but they can't always do much, and now i can't be bothered...
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Thanks. Perhaps this thread should be merged with Fraudulent Psychics. My cards sound very similar to the ones which rrose-selavy cites from Manchester Trading Standards there! :)
 
Doncha just love living in Manchester? :D
James, we need to get an FT pub meet organized here . . .
 
I just thought it was a door to door roach delivery service for which the little springy cards are perfect.
 
Mmmn, came across my 'collection' by chance while looking for something else today so thought i'd rescan them... unfortunately the 1st one looks like someone's been using it as a coaster at some point... doubt it's any odds the contact info is on there, as they clearly weren't too bothered about shoving their info through strangers letterboxes...

Psychic1.jpg


Psychic2.jpg


Psychic3.jpg
 
Delightful! Much more colourful than mine were.

The wording is so similar in the male ones that they remind me of Indian restaurant menus. There must be some sort of template for doing them.

Suema seems to have written her own. She knows how to rabbit! Her promise to Destroy and Protect us has strange echoes of Protect & Survive, maybe.

Now, do I have Polo problems? Is she mending one's ponies or just the holes in one's mints? :)
 
at the risk of sounding slightly racist, it's a pity none of them can cure 'very bad english' lol, or perhaps that's deliberate, to add to the mystique or something?
 
EU scam-busters predict trouble for 'clairvoyants'

I predict that the UKIP will oppose this.

EU scam-busters predict trouble for 'clairvoyants'


THE future looks bleak for 'clairvoyants'.

The European Union is about to crack down on phoney psychics who prey on unsuspecting and naive consumers.

An EU-wide enforcement network was established yesterday to target a range of cross-border scams including phoney lotteries, bogus holiday clubs and miracle health and slimming cures.

The swindles also include time-share frauds, pyramid selling and dishonest or misleading advertising.

Clairvoyant mailings - where consumers receive a letter from a bogus psychic promising predictions that will change their life for a fee - are among the many conjobs that will be tackled by the network.

These letters sometimes warn recipients about an imminent danger, information about which a deceased relative has supposedly passed on to the clairvoyant, the EU said.

Some are particularly aggressive in trying to scare people that something terrible is going to happen to them or their family unless they buy a lucky talisman amulet, crystal or set of numbers.

Scams involving 'miracle' cures for baldness, heart disease, obesity and impotence will also be tackled in the network that links national enforcement bodies across Europe.

The EU Commission, while using existing national organisations and agencies, will coordinate them under a new Brussels directive, the EU Enforcement Cooperation Regulation Directive. This enables the creation of a network of enforcers and scam-busters.

The network will be able to operate across borders, raid fraudsters' addresses, impose fines, take court action and freeze assets.

Bodies such as the new National Consumer Agency in Ireland will be able to access information related to cross-border rogue trading and take court action if necessary.

Conmen were using mass emails and false promises of big earning to trap vulnerable people, said EU Consumer Protection Commissioner Meglena Kuneva.

"The fraudsters are clever - taking advantage of different legal systems across the EU to target vulnerable people. Their crafty schemes, such as personalising letters and making them look professional, are costing EU consumers millions of euros."

In the UK alone, some 3m adults fall victim to scams each year, costing each an average of €1,500, she said.

Millions of people across Europe have been receiving emails and letters offering huge sums of money if they give their bank details.

In one case a UK victim travelled to South Africa to get his money but was kidnapped on arrival by thieves who demanded a €30,000 ransom from his wife.

False holiday clubs where people are invited to collect a holiday prize and then pressurised into joining a club will also be among the scams targeted.

Aideen Sheehan and Bernard Purcell


www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories ... e_id=15310
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Damn, just when I was thinking of going into the fraudulent psychic business myself, too (actually sort of almost true!).

Why is this in Esoterica? We don't normally get much stuff in here at all, let alone stuff about mediums and such like.
 
_Lizard23_ said:
Damn, just when I was thinking of going into the fraudulent psychic business myself, too (actually sort of almost true!).

Why is this in Esoterica? We don't normally get much stuff in here at all, let alone stuff about mediums and such like.
Click to expand...

I was wondering where I should put it, maybe Fortean Stories rarther than here?
 
_Lizard23_ said:
Damn, just when I was thinking of going into the fraudulent psychic business myself, too (actually sort of almost true!).
Click to expand...

You couldn't actually sort of almost tell us what you mean by this, could you? :shock:
 
Frobush said:
_Lizard23_ said:
Damn, just when I was thinking of going into the fraudulent psychic business myself, too (actually sort of almost true!).
Click to expand...

You couldn't actually sort of almost tell us what you mean by this, could you? :shock:
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For a fee, I'm sure she could!
 
Heh heh. How did I know you were going to ask that? ;)

I've been considering doing tarot readings on a semi-professional (as in supplementary income) basis and possibly as a way of funding an extended holiday in warmer climes. I'm not really a 'believer' in the common sense of the word, although I have read tarot for myself and occasionally friends for many years now, but I don't have any scruples about selling a bit of mystic flim-flam for entertainment purposes, which, according to some, would make me a shabby con-artist.
 
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