For months, Iraqis have been circulating videos on social media platforms, apparently trained gangs, appearing while robbing money exchange shops and pharmacies using hypnosis.
And recently, the Baghdad Police Command arrested 3 accused of entering a money exchange office and hypnotizing its owner, before stealing $3,000.
The police said in a statement that, “After the arrest, I directed the security authorities to close all outlets in the area and launch an immediate search and follow-up campaign. Indeed, I was able to identify the three suspects, arrest them, and seize the stolen amount.”
Despite the official statements issued by the relevant institutions regarding the use of hypnosis, the spokesman for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, Major General Khaled Al-Muhanna, expressed reservations about the possibility of using this type of treatment in carrying out theft operations.
Al-Muhanna said in a press statement, “It has been proven through police investigations that hypnosis was not used, but that there are other tricks.”
Al-Muhanna added: “There is, for example, the practice of sleight of hand, camouflaging, deceiving the opposite person, or agreeing with the stolen person,” referring to “a representative process carried out by these fraudsters to steal what they want. We always publish our directives and send messages to citizens to warn against such gangs.”
popular concern
In light of the widespread talk about this type of theft, Iraqis expressed their concern on social media, especially with the circulating of several cases in which thefts took place, some of which were for large sums.
Video clips show people entering shops and talking with their owners, or a gang member placing his hand on the head of the seller, who hands thieves sums of money without feeling or awareness.
These cases raised questions about the ability of these gangs to use psychological practices in thefts, as mastering hypnosis requires training, study and practice, as well as the inability to use it without the consent of the other person, according to specialists.
Social researcher Mona Al-Amiri believes that “the use of hypnosis in thefts cannot be done that easily, as this type of treatment needs study and practice, as well as an appropriate atmosphere, such as a little light and approval from the person concerned, calm and concentration, so that the treatment stages begin gradually. “.
Al-Amiri added in an interview with “Sky News Arabia”, that “those allegations by gangs should be the focus of the competent authorities’ attention, in order to open an investigation into their nature and truth and to prevent the spread of terror among citizens,” pointing out that “some gangs carry out light or camouflage movements, In addition to sedation with the use of some medications.
Despite the controversy surrounding the use of hypnosis by organized crime gangs in burglary, this type of treatment has a positive side, as it has played a role for thousands of years in the field of healing and healing.
According to the World Health Organization, 90 percent of the general population is hypnotic.
Reporting index escalation
On the other hand, an officer in Baghdad Operations said, “Reports about the use of this treatment in thefts have escalated during the past days and months, but the security services are still in the process of discussion and research, in cooperation with a team of psychiatrists, to find out the truth of this phenomenon and issue clear decisions regarding it. “.
The source, who asked “Sky News Arabia” to remain anonymous, pointed out that “the investigations did not actually and conclusively prove the use of hypnosis, but the prevailing interpretation now is anesthesia or manipulation.”
The officer added that “the gangs carry out various tricks to loot money, and it is not excluded that this type of treatment will be used and modifications made to it to achieve their desires.”
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