Cult leader pulled out teeth of errant followers and forced feces on them

A Singaporean faith leader was jailed for 10 years yesterday for swindling US$10 million (HK$78 million) from her followers and using violent punishment to discipline those who disobeyed her.

The case of Woo May Hoe was a rare case of cult-like crime in Singapore.

Woo convinced some 30 followers into believing she was a deity and defrauded them over several years.

She told her followers their payments would be used for getting rid of their "bad karma" and that the funds were being sent to a spiritual figure in India called Sri Sakthi Narayani Amma or financing the construction of new temples.

She punished disobedient followers by caning them, forcing them to eat feces or pulling their teeth out with pliers.

Health officials found she had paranoid schizophrenia at the time of her offenses but that she was aware of the illegal nature of her acts.

"The accused's actions have completely shattered the lives of her followers, leaving them in dire financial circumstances and causing permanent physical disability to some," the prosecutors said.