Baku, August 28, 2025 — Azerbaijan’s Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a self-styled psychic who defrauded a client of thousands of manats under the guise of mystical services.
The court, chaired by Judge Alesker Novruzov, dismissed the cassation appeal of Matlab Nematullayev, a resident of Quba’s Gamgam village, who had styled himself online as “Psychic Hikmet.”
Nematullayev was earlier sentenced by the Baku Serious Crimes Court to five years and six months in prison on charges of large-scale fraud (Article 178.2.4) and repeated extortion (Article 182.2.2) of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code. His appeal to the Baku Court of Appeal had already been rejected.
Fraud Disguised as Fortune-Telling
According to case files, Nematullayev used Instagram to pose as “Hikmet,” offering fortune-telling and spiritual cleansing. One victim, identified as Medina Mammadova (name changed), paid him a total of 7,790 manats for promises to heal her mother’s illness, restore her brother’s troubled marriage, prevent an abortion, remove curses, and calm family tensions.
When she refused his further demand for an additional 2,400 manats, he allegedly threatened to spread defamatory information about her family. In retaliation, he even posted photos of her brother and relatives on social media.
Crime Exposed Through Threats
The fraud unraveled when his intimidation escalated, prompting the victim to file a police complaint. Nematullayev was arrested and brought to trial, where prosecutors emphasized the manipulative exploitation of vulnerable people seeking help.
Verdict Stands Firm
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, Nematullayev’s sentence is now final, closing the legal chapter on a case that highlights both the dangers of online scams and the limits of “supernatural” deception.
