A footling UK£470 million

Japanese police have taken 12 members of a foot-reading cult into custody after they were accused of defrauding adherents of UK£470 million since 1987. Ho No Hana Sanpogyo founder Hogen Fukunaga was accused of defrauding five people of UK£150,000. Police estimate that as many as 30,000 followers may have lost money after they paid for expensive cures for bogus fatal illnesses which were diagnosed after examination of their feet. Fukunaga claimed that he could hear “the voice of heaven” and persuaded believers to part with up to UK£60,000 for religious instruction and accessories including scrolls and images of his hand. He also said that the Pope had asked him to look after matters after his death.