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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Dangerous Hypnotists Stealing from People	David	Sunday, November 1, 2015
Question: Recently my parents have either heard from other people or saw on TV about people who fall victim to certain criminals who, in a sense, hypnotize them into either giving them bank account information or withdrawing all their money from the bank to give to the thieves. From what my mom describes, these scary people don't really do much to get their victims in a trance, all they do is either look at the victims (probably eye contact involved) or just start speaking to them, and maybe even just a little physical contact. The victims have little to no memory of what happened to them. Of course, this makes my mom more careful to not talk to just anybody. That kind of ability just doesn't seem natural to me, but I really don't know much about hypnosis. My question is this- is it possible that these people using some kind of natural and/or scientific technique or is there something more preternatural involved? I really don't know how hypnotism or mesmerism works, perhaps you can enlighten me.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC Dear David: This sounds like an Urban Legend. It is unlikely that this is happening. Con artists use a variety of techniques, which involve verbal persuasion appealing to emotions, greed, or whatever weakness a person may have. Theoretically, it is possible for someone to have the ability to hypnotize "some" people by just a touch. This is a highly developed skill that not many people will have. When I was in University studying psychology I heard of only one person who allegedly had such ability. I do not think we have to worry about it. Stories like this should never be believed on face value. Always ask for proof and source material from reputable sources. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Dangerous Hypnotists Stealing from People

David

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Question:

Recently my parents have either heard from other people or saw on TV about people who fall victim to certain criminals who, in a sense, hypnotize them into either giving them bank account information or withdrawing all their money from the bank to give to the thieves.

From what my mom describes, these scary people don't really do much to get their victims in a trance, all they do is either look at the victims (probably eye contact involved) or just start speaking to them, and maybe even just a little physical contact. The victims have little to no memory of what happened to them. Of course, this makes my mom more careful to not talk to just anybody.

That kind of ability just doesn't seem natural to me, but I really don't know much about hypnosis.

My question is this- is it possible that these people using some kind of natural and/or scientific technique or is there something more preternatural involved? I really don't know how hypnotism or mesmerism works, perhaps you can enlighten me.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC

Dear David:

This sounds like an Urban Legend. It is unlikely that this is happening. Con artists use a variety of techniques, which involve verbal persuasion appealing to emotions, greed, or whatever weakness a person may have.

Theoretically, it is possible for someone to have the ability to hypnotize "some" people by just a touch. This is a highly developed skill that not many people will have. When I was in University studying psychology I heard of only one person who allegedly had such ability. I do not think we have to worry about it.

Stories like this should never be believed on face value. Always ask for proof and source material from reputable sources.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.