Woo May Hoe saga: Delving into the dark side of unquestioning belief

SINGAPORE – Self-styled Indian goddess Woo May Hoe punished some of her “devotees” by forcing them to swallow human faeces.

Other penalties to make her followers atone for a litany of “sins” included stabbing their arm with a pair of scissors, whipping them with a bundle of canes and forcing one follower to jump from the second floor of a building.

The horrific saga of Woo – a Chinese Singaporean whose reign of terror over her group of followers here sent shockwaves around the world in a recent court case – raises some disturbing questions.

For one thing, how can the leader of a group wield such power, instilling such paralysing fear that prevents followers from speaking up or leaving a group with toxic dynamics?

Court documents revealed that Woo’s offences were committed against multiple victims for nine years from 2012 to May 2020. She had about 30 followers.

She was arrested on Oct 8, 2020, after some followers lodged police reports against her.

The 54-year-old is

in jail for 10 years and six months

after being sentenced on June 19, for assaulting and cheating her followers of more than $7 million.

Reign of terror

One of the most harrowing accounts of abuse was directed at a victim from 2019 to 2020, who is in her 40s and identified in court papers as V2. Identities have been withheld to protect the victims.

In 2019, Woo became upset with V2 over an undisclosed matter, and took a bundle of five canes and struck V2’s head and face repeatedly.

Woo then told V2 to wash her injured eye with some “holy water” and stare directly at the sun. The victim obeyed and did not seek immediate medical attention as Woo had expressly forbidden it.

As a result of damage to her optic nerve, V2 needs lifelong follow-ups for possible glaucoma.

In October 2019, Woo ordered V2 to jump down from the second floor of a building. She suffered fractures to both her ankles. Woo did not allow her to seek medical attention for her injuries. She instructed another follower to obtain a wheelchair and send V2 home after the incident. Still, V2 stayed with the group.

Then, between March and April 2020, Woo found out that V2 had visited her own mother without informing Woo.

Woo instructed another follower, identified as V3, to use a pair of pliers to pull out three of V2’s teeth. Out of fear of suffering the same fate, V3 did as instructed.

Separately, Woo

ordered several other followers to eat human faeces.

According to court papers, her followers were suffering from – or had relatives suffering from – serious medical conditions at the time the offences were committed.

Desperate for healing, they followed her teachings faithfully. According to Woo, it was crucial for her devotees to clear their “bad karma” and increase their “good karma” to improve their health and that of their loved ones.

Part of the karmic rebalancing also entailed identifying as avatars of fruit.

A neighbour in Jalan Waringin in the Kembangan area, who lived next to one of three residences occupied by the group, told The Straits Times in a recent report that some of the followers

introduced themselves as Apple, Pear, Mango and Pineapple.

“They claimed to be reincarnations of fruit and said they prayed to ‘Amma’,” said the 48-year-old neighbour, who wanted to be identified only as Ms Lily. She added that when Woo drove up to the house, the devotees would line up and bow down to her, “like in a Korean drama”.

The group was also known to have occupied a commercial space in Kaki Bukit and a landed property in East Coast Road at the time that the offences took place.

Inspired by ashram in South India

Woo told her followers that they could improve their karma by making payments to an established ashram in South India, founded by Tamil spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Narayani Amma.

Referred to as “Amma”, the India-born spiritual leader – who is male but is believed to be an avatar of a powerful Hindu goddess called Narayani – runs a sprawling centre with a temple and amenities to help the poor called Sri Narayani Peedam in Vellore, Tamil Nadu.

It relies on donations from local temple devotees as well as globally through a dedicated website featuring 10 donation hotlines.

Woo told her followers the monies would go to Amma’s centre in India. However, she pocketed the monies from 2012 to 2020.

Woo warned that it was “offensive” for any of them to ask for receipts or proof of payment. Besides money, she also ordered them to buy houses, condominium units and cars as a form of worship, which she used for her own benefit.

She insisted that each payment and purchase had to be made in full, causing many of her followers to deplete their savings.

When the money ran out, she asked them to give up their jewellery and other valuables, which were then pawned and sold to fund various payments and purchases.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Grace Chua said in court on May 8 that when those too were depleted, the accused demanded that her followers sell their houses, take up extensive loans from banks and their friends and families, and terminate their insurance policies.

“The accused threatened the death of her followers and their families should these payments and purchases not be made,” she added.

Woo also directed about a third of her followers to move in with her. They had to serve her full-time and care for her every need, including doing housework.

DPP Chua informed the court that Woo was found to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offences. But an Institute of Mental Health (IMH) doctor found no link between Woo’s mental state and her financial cheating offences. Woo has since made restitution of $675,500.

‘Not aware’ of Woo’s actions

In June, ST contacted the administration office of Sri Narayani Peedam through a WhatsApp number on the website. The number has recently been deleted and in its place now are 10 helplines.

ST asked if the spiritual leader was aware of Woo’s activities in Singapore.

“We are not aware of all this,” a spokesman, who identified himself as Mr Yuvaraj, said in Tamil.

“Madam Woo came here in 2011 and gave a donation to the temple, but that was the only time that we have seen her. After that, she did not contact or consult us about her activities.”

Mr Yuvaraj added that he did not know the donation amount. When asked how this fund-raising in the name of Amma could have gone on for almost a decade without Amma’s knowledge, he said: “It is all up to fate. All wrongdoings will be punished by God.”

He declined to answer further questions.

Psychology of indoctrination

So what are the warning signs that a loved one is in the thrall of a toxic leader?

Dr Geraldine Tan, director and principal psychologist at The Therapy Room in Orchard Road, says the first giveaway is when there is a need to isolate the individual from his or her family members.

“Some groups engage in ‘us versus them’ indoctrination,” says Dr Tan, 46, who co-hosts a weekly radio segment on SPH Radio’s Kiss 92 called Therapy Tuesdays. The session focuses on tips on maintaining good mental health in a live question-and-answer format.

“When a group puts pressure on an individual to cut ties with established networks, such as loved ones or family members, and engages in brainwashing practices such as inciting hatred towards the outside world, it’s time to seek help,” she adds. “Toxic groups thrive on being secretive, so the first step is to confide in a trusted friend.”

Dr Tan notes that not all clans, cliques or groups are harmful, and it can be important to be part of a group – such as those in schools and companies, or collaborative and special interest groups – as the structure creates an efficient and orderly operating system.

“It is only when you feel stifled, repressed or intimidated and especially if you are subjected to danger that you need to do something. The best way is to distance yourself from the problem, speak out and seek help.”

Follow the leader

Which begs the question: Are humans hardwired to follow a leader?

Dr Jasmine Yeo – clinical director and head consultant psychologist at The Private Practice, a mental health service provider clinic in Thomson Ridge – says that following a leader is rooted in evolutionary psychology.

Humans are social creatures, she says, and from an evolutionary standpoint, aligning with a leader or group helped humankind survive in environments where cooperation was crucial.

“This ‘follow the leader’ instinct can be advantageous in dangerous or uncertain situations, allowing individuals to benefit from the guidance of someone perceived to have authority, strength or superior knowledge. However, this same instinct can make people vulnerable to manipulation when a leader exploits his or her followers’ trust, especially in toxic groups,” adds Dr Yeo, 36, who has more than a decade of experience in public hospitals such as KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, as well as in private practice specialising in maternal and infant mental health.

Another warning sign is being unable to exercise agency to speak up or do something about a bad situation. This paralysis stems from a combination of psychological manipulation, fear and dependency.

Leaders of toxic groups use a variety of tactics, such as emotional or financial control. Over time, these techniques can break down a person’s sense of self and make him or her more susceptible to the leader’s influence.

Cognitive dissonance

“Cognitive dissonance – in which followers reconcile conflicting beliefs by accepting the group’s narrative – also plays a big role,” says Dr Yeo.

“We may engage in certain behaviour or adopt attitudes to help relieve the discomfort caused by the conflict. A person may grow to adopt beliefs or ideas to help justify or explain away the conflict between his or her beliefs and behaviours. The fear of losing the community, facing punishment or disappointing the leader creates a mental barrier that can immobilise people, making it difficult to leave or even question the group’s unethical practices.”

Dr Yeo says the most glaring sign of toxicity is when a leader or a group at the helm demands complete obedience from the followers, controlling their behaviour and thoughts.

“Unscrupulous leaders often want to control not only minds and hearts, but also wallets,” says Dr Yeo, adding that financial exploitation is a common tactic, with members pressured to donate money or possessions.

An individual should draw the line when his or her autonomy, emotional well-being or physical safety is compromised, she adds.

“If questioning the leader or group results in punishment, shame or threats, that’s another strong signal to cut one’s losses and head for the nearest exit – as fast as possible.”

Defence lawyer Caryn Lee from IRB Law says Woo was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time she committed the offences. Paranoid schizophrenia is a form of mental illness characterised by the presence and persistence of hallucinations.

Ms Lee adds that it is not known exactly when Woo started to suffer from paranoid schizophrenia, but it has been documented in the IMH report that Woo experienced hallucinations from around 2015 to 2016. Her condition likely deteriorated, as she did not seek medical attention early, says Ms Lee.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of one’s mental health and not refuse medical help just because of the social stigma attached to it. The offences she committed must be seen in the light of her deteriorating mental state,” says Ms Lee, who has been working on Woo’s case since 2020.

She adds that Woo is currently on a “robust psychiatric treatment plan” and there has been significant improvement.

A recent IMH report shows that she is more well-coordinated and lucid now than in 2020.

5 warning signs of toxic groups

To avoid losing one’s mind as well as money, learn to recognise the characteristics of harmful groups, says Dr Jasmine Yeo of home-grown mental wellness healthcare provider The Private Practice. Here are five group dynamics that raise the red flag.

Charismatic leader: Groups often revolve around a charismatic leader who is seen as infallible and all-knowing. This can lead to blind obedience and a disregard for personal autonomy.

Isolation and control: Members may be isolated from their families and friends, and their access to information and communication may be restricted. This can make it difficult for them to challenge or question the group’s beliefs.

Manipulation: Harmful groups often employ psychological manipulation techniques to control their members’ thoughts and behaviour. This can include guilt-tripping, gaslighting and emotional manipulation.

Financial exploitation: Members may be pressured to donate large sums of money or give up their assets to the group. This can lead to financial ruin and further dependence on the group.

Abuse and violence: In some cases, groups may engage in physical, emotional or sexual abuse. This can have devastating consequences for victims and their families.

5 ways to get help fast

1. I-Witness enables you to report criminal or suspicious activities to the Singapore Police Force, with the information potentially assisting in current investigations or revealing unreported crimes. Go to

police.gov.sg/I-Witness

2. Hear4U: WhatsApp 6978-2728

3. Tinkle Friend (for children between the ages of seven and 12): 1800-2744-788

4. National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline: 1800-777-0000 (24 hours)

5. Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)