Foreign Property News | Posted by Hnin Ei Khin
Pet psychics in China who claim to help people communicate with their dead pets and find out if they have been reincarnated have sparked an online controversy.
The psychics charge prices of 128 yuan (US$18) to allow owners to ask their pet five questions and 2,999 yuan (US$420) for an unlimited number of questions within six months, according to a news report by Jimu News.
Finding out if their pet has been reincarnated costs between 899 yuan and 1,899 yuan (US$125 and US$260) depending on the circumstances.
Many pet owners said they believed they were scammed after they were blocked by the psychics on social media or kicked out of the chat group for the service, the report said.
(Grieving animal lovers are conned in an online chat group for people in a similar situation to themselves. Photo: Getty Images)
One of the victims, identified as Anran, raised a Beagle dog from 2009 to 2024.
Her dog, nicknamed Qiqi, died last October from kidney disease, and she pined for her beloved pet regularly on social media.
Anran then received a message from a person called Ling who suggested she join an online chat group.
“Sister, do not be sad. They only lost their bodies; their souls are immortal and can be reincarnated. I have built a chat group for people who lost their ‘fur babies’ and we encourage and comfort each other,” Ling told her.
"If you believe in reincarnation, you can join our group," added Ling.
(One of the victims was a dog owner who had her beloved, long-suffering pet put down at a veterinary clinic. Photo: Getty Images)
Anran joined the chat group, which had more than 400 members. She bought a 128-yuan communication service but was told that she had to wait for four days because Ling, who claimed to be a psychic, was busy with too many orders.
Later, Anran discovered that the answers from her late dog through the psychic were simply based on content she had previously shared on social media.
She also bought an 899-yuan reincarnation package and was told to pray every day until her dog appeared in her dream to tell her where it would be reborn.
When Anran complained to Ling that she did not have such a dream after a few weeks, Ling told her it was because she was not sincere, her belief was not strong or her emotions were not stable.
(An urn with the ashes of a cremated dog. Online observers have expressed shock that people can be duped into believing in pet reincarnation. Photo: Getty Images)
After Anran lodged repeated complaints, Ling blocked her on social media.
Ref: China pet owners splurge on psychics to communicate with dead animals, spark debate Photo Credit-Getty Images
