Anthony Carr (psychic)

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Anthony Carr is an alleged ‘Psychic’ residing in Canada. Born on 6 December 1943 in Canada, Mr Carr alleges that he ‘discovered’ his psychic powers late in life, which he attributes to his alleged Mohawk ancestry. Mr Carr claims that he is the ‘seer without peer’ and that the is the ‘world’s most documented psychic’ and a ‘modern day ‘Nostradamus’. He is also associated with ‘Boss Communications’, and has been accused of fake readings, and retailing mass produced ‘readings’ and cheap jewellery. Mr Carr runs his business via the internet, and also via mail outs.

In May 2001 the Supreme Court of New South Wales (Australia) issued a injunction pursuant to section 65 of the NSW Fair Trading Act(a State based piece of consumer protection legislation similar to the Commonwealth Trade Practices Act) on Mr Carr, for misleading and deceptive conduct (unreported). Allegedly, Boss Communications (operating under the names of Anthony Carr, Valerie Taylor and United Equity Limited) sent out letters offering cheap jewellery for inflated prices (i.e. ‘genuine diamond necklace’ for $19.97, valued by the regulator at $1.50), ‘psychic readings’ of good fortune (for $30), and ‘personnel guidance’ (for $30).

The Court found that these readings were mass produced, and that the products offered were substandard. The Court judged this conduct to be in contravention of the Act, which provides variously that a person shall not engage in misleading or deceptive conduct, give false representations, or engage in ‘unconscionable conduct’. The NSW Office of Fair Trading was successful in securing an injunction under s 65 of the Act, preventing $150,000 in return payments (over 5,500 cheques and credit-card payments) from reaching Boss Communications. Furthermore, an injunction was placed pursuant s 75 of the Act, preventing NSW residents from sending cheques, credit card payments or money to Boss Communications (or the other joint defendants).

The case was hailed as the first major victory against con artists via mail in NSW, and was praised by the then NSW Minister for Fair Trading, John Watkins. The case was one of the reasons that the Australian/New Zealand Scam Mail Working Party was formed.