Words & pics by Adam Smith
Birmingham City Council has warned local residents against paying for black magic spells which are being offered to people across Erdington, the Local can reveal.
Fliers offering ‘black magic’ and ‘love spells’ to solve relationships woes, mental illness, job seeking, and court cases have been delivered to homes on Slade Road, Marsh Hill, Erdington Hall Road, and Reservoir Road in recent weeks.
The claims on the fliers include getting husbands and wives who have left their partners to be ‘returned immediately’, breaking the resolve of stubborn children, and an ability to bring fame and success.
Erdington Local handed the fliers, from two separate ‘spell caster’s, to Birmingham City Council Trading Standards.
A spokesman said: “We’d advise anyone to be wary of this sort of thing and advise against handing over large sums of money.
“If anyone has concerns, they can contact trading standards via the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.”
Cheick Mahamadou Lamine describes themselves as a ‘Spiritual Healer and Love Spell Caster’.
Their flyer boasts: ‘I can help you with love and relationship matters, exams, business, luck, family problems, career, court cases, job seeking, depression, serious illness, buying and selling property, fame and success in business.
‘Quick and Positive results GUARANTEED – Payment after results.’
Shaikh Drame’s flyer claims he is: ‘The first man to combine the power of spirituality no matter what your problems are I can help you solve them.
‘Even desperate cases e.g relationships, work and business difficulties, for those who feel unlove, unhappy and unlucky, I can remove evil spells and bad luck. I can help a person who is looking for leadership and popularity.’
Drame even claims to be able to get spouses to return to a relationship they have left.
He states: ‘If your loved one, husband or wife has walked out on you I can help bring them back immediately with the most powerful spells.”
Worryingly, Drame also promises to work with children who do not obey their parents – raising safeguarding concerns for any young people involved.
He further promised: ‘I can bring stubborn children to listen and cure people who use alcohol and tobacco. Follow the path of relief and lead the life of happiness.’
Trading Standards in Sandwell successfully prosecuted a bogus love doctor who promised clients his spells could improve fertility and fix relationships in 2010.
Niem Mohammed, who drove around in a Ferrari and a Bentley, charged a Smethwick couple £9,000 for breaking a black magic spell and help them have children – he was jailed for 18 months and ordered to pay the money back.
He also took £1,300 off a woman to help fix a broken relationship, but when nothing happened he told her he needed a further £1,800. He then threatened to send a ghost to destroy her home and family if she did not pay up.
Erdington Local has asked both Lamine and Drame for a comment but at the time of publishing have not received a reply.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article – or want to talk to Erdington Local about your experiences – email [email protected]
For help and guidance from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau visit www.bcabs.org.uk