Sydney woman hands over more than $23,000 after fortune teller’s grim prediction

What began as a $30 reading evolved into a nightmare when a Sydney single mum agreed to pay tens of thousands to save her children.

A single mum said she agreed to forfeit her life savings to save her children’s lives after meeting with a fortune teller.

Recently separated and having just been through a car accident, Sydney woman Poonam, who asked for her surname to be withheld, told A Current Affair she was tempted to get her fortune told to get some clarity on her life.

After seeing a sign advertising the services of Pandit Valmiki Krishna in a laneway in Sydney’s western suburb of Liverpool, she gladly paid the $30 fee to have her fortune told.

The sign outside the store claimed Mr Krishna could read someone’s “past, present, future and kundli (birth chart)” and claimed he could assist with “husband and wife problems,” and issues related to love, health, money, family, work and offer “house protection”.

The sign advertising Mr Krishna’s services. Picture: A Current Affair/ Channel 9.

However, during the consult, he made a grave prediction.

“The only thing I can see at the moment is your kids, your kids’ lives are in danger,” she said.

“So you’re going to have another accident, and I’m sitting there crying, so we have to come into a prayer for you, Poonam.

“They said they’ve (her children) had a bad soul around them and they (the psychics) will come and take the bad soul away from them.”

Poonam agreed to pay more than $21,000. Picture: A Current Affair/ Channel 9.

The costs snowballed from there. In return for his services, Poonam was originally charged $820. However when two psychics – Master Krishna and a cohort master – carried out the first prayer at her home, she claims they informed her she needed another 10 sessions. In total, the ‘treatment’ would cost her $21,000.

“I can’t remember what I did [but I] sent the money,” said Poonam.

Moment of realisation

However, the day after the prayer ceremony, Poonam claimed she was told by Mr Krishna that she would have to pay another $28,000 so the fortune tellers could expel the spirit they found in her home.

“They said this thing is making a lot of noise, we need to take it to India because otherwise it’s going to come back to you,” said Poonam.

It was at that point that Poonam refused.

The mum claims she was told she’d have to may another $28,000 to destroy the spirit they found in her home. Picture: A Current Affair/ Channel 9.

When approached by A Current Affair, Mr Krishna denied he told Poonam her children’s lives would be at risk if she didn’t pay him the money.

“I don’t know,” he repeated continuously.

“I’m not saying any lies (sic),” he told cameras.

While the registered nurse has been able to get a refund of roughly $12,000, with a payment plan for Mr Krishna to pay back the rest, she admits the experience has made her “more crazy”.

“I only did it because he told me my children would die,” she said.

“What would any mother do when told this?”

When approached by A Current Affair, Mr Krishna denied he told Poonam her children’s lives would be at risk if she didn’t pay him the money.

“I don’t know,” he repeated continuously.

“I’m not saying any lies (sic),” he told cameras.

News.com.au attempted to reach out to Mr Krishna.