A terminally ill woman in Taiwan was defrauded by a so-called spiritual growth cult, losing over NT$13 million (around Rs 3.6 crore) in the process.
The woman, surnamed Wang, who was battling terminal cancer, joined the cult in August 2013. Her son later joined in April 2021. According to South China Morning Post, the group, run by two women surnamed Zhang and Chen, subjected participants to humiliating practices such as kneeling on roadsides, public punishment, and even licking others’ toes. Both Wang and her son were coerced into same-sex marriages in 2021, only to be forced to divorce the following year.
Cult leaders used threats and fear to maintain control. Wang was warned that failing to follow instructions could worsen her illness or even cause her death. Participants were also pressured to pay large sums, with NT$2 million (around Rs 55 lakh) demanded from those aiming to become “Energy Purification Masters.” Minor non-compliance, such as missing a phone call, incurred fines of NT$1,000 (around Rs 27,500).
To meet the cult’s financial demands, Wang’s son even sold the family home. By March 2023, Wang had paid NT$6,842,460 (around Rs 1.88 crore), and her son had contributed NT$6,507,100 (around Rs 1.78 crore). Only after seeking legal counsel did they realise they had been defrauded.
Wang and her son filed a lawsuit against Zhang and Chen. Despite the leaders arguing that the high costs were justified by a decade of participation and the courses’ unverifiable nature, the court ruled in favour of the victims. Zhang and Chen were ordered to jointly compensate Wang and her son NT$13,349,560 (around Rs 3.66 crore).
The case sparked online outrage, with many criticising the cult for exploiting vulnerable individuals under the guise of spiritual development.
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