Student arrested for attempt to hypnotize Padang police chief

A college student is facing serious charges for his alleged attempt to hypnotize Padang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Nugrohadi via a cell phone.

“The suspect was arrested on Jl. Pattimura in Padang by the city police, ” Eko said Sunday as quoted by Antara state newswire.

He added that the suspect, Adi, 19, had attempted to hypnotize him, repeatedly calling him and trying to seduce him with a woman's voice.

Eko said he had eventually played along when Adi asked him to meet up and give him some money. Instead of meeting the suspect, however, Adi sent police to the location to arrest him.

“I just keep engaging him until he asked to meet me on Jl. Pattimura, Padang,” Eko said.

He added that the public and other officials should be aware of such scams conducted using cell phones.

Adi told police he had been tricking people since he was in high school, and had used the same modus to deceive local officials, councilors and police officers.

Adi is now undergoing questioning at the Padang Police headquarters.

The use of hypnotism has reportedly been used for various crimes, including its use by the outlawed Islamic State of Indonesia movement (NII) to promote ideology and recruit new members. (rpt)