THE MANIPULATIVE POTENTIAL OF ESOTERIC PRACTICES IN THE CONTEXT OF ABUSE OF TRUST AND FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of the manipulative potential of esoteric practices in the context of abuse of trust and fraudulent activities. The emphasis is on the relationship between psychological mechanisms of influence and the legal consequences of the activities of individuals who, under the guise of “healing”, “energy cleansing”, or “karmic therapy”, commit fraud and misappropriate other people’s funds. Authors analyses the socio-psychological factors that determine trust in esoteric practices, including emotional vulnerability, crisis life circumstances, cognitive biases and the need to search for meaning. It is noted that it is at such moments that a person becomes most susceptible to manipulation through techniques of suggestion, emotional pressure, and the creation of pseudoscientific legitimacy.The criminal law classification of such actions is disclosed in accordance with Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud), where the decisive elements are deception and abuse of trust.Real-life examples are described where citizens lost significant amounts of money to “experts” who allegedly removed “curses” or “cleansed energy” online. It is emphasized that the difficulty of proving such crimes is due to the blurred boundaries between religious belief, psychological assistance and pseudoscience. Authors concludes that a comprehensive approach is needed to counter such practices, including improving legislation, strengthening control over the activities of pseudo-specialists, conducting educational campaigns, and developing critical thinking in society. Emphasizes that esoteric practices are not criminal in themselves, but their commercialization and use for manipulative purposes pose significant risks to the mental and financial well-being of citizens.