Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian police detained a female shaman accused of stealing 11,000 ringgit (3188 dollars) in cash and jewellery from her patients during treatments, news reports said Wednesday.

The 20-year-old shaman is popular for her treatments for marital problems and specific diseases, said northern Pahang state's deputy police chief Mohamad Haris Daud.

"The victims aged 30-40 years claimed that they were asked to lie down and place valuables near their heads," the Star newspaper him as saying. "On returning home, they were shocked to find the money and jewellery missing from their bags."

Following complaints lodged by three victims, police detained the suspect Tuesday night and placed her under remand for four days while the investigation continues.

In spite of numerous reports of sexual assaults and fraud by bogus shamans, many rural ethnic Malays still seek out the healers hoping for supernatural intervention to cure diseases, cast out evil spirits or ward off ill fortune. (dpa)