Bengaluru Senior Citizen Targeted in Sophisticated Gold Bangle Scam
In a distressing incident in Bengaluru, an 80-year-old woman fell victim to a cunning conman who orchestrated an elaborate ruse to steal her valuable gold bangles. The perpetrator, arriving in a white Toyota Fortuner, posed as a familiar acquaintance to gain her trust before executing the theft.
Deceptive Tactics and False Promises
According to the complaint filed by Kanaka Sampath, a resident of Basavanagudi, the stranger visited her home around 11:45 AM on March 28 while she was alone. He initiated a friendly conversation, pretending to be a distant relative or known face. To further win her confidence, he fabricated a story about his upcoming wedding the following month, warmly inviting her to attend and even promising to gift her a sari for the occasion.
Later, he feigned noticing the gold bangles on her hands, complimented them, and claimed he wanted similar ones crafted for his fiancée. He persuaded her to accompany him to a jewellery shop to show the design. When she mentioned difficulty walking due to leg pain, he offered to drive her in his SUV and drop her back home, showcasing a facade of concern.
The Heist Unfolds
Trusting his seemingly genuine demeanor, the elderly woman got into the white Toyota Fortuner. He drove her around the Mani Sports area but claimed there were no jewellery shops nearby, returning her home. He then suggested calling a jeweller to her house and asked her to hand over the bangles to show the design.
Distracting her with images of gold bars on his phone, which he claimed would be used to craft the bangles, she unknowingly handed over the two bangles to him. In a matter of moments, the conman made her get out of the vehicle and drove away with the stolen gold, weighing approximately 50 grams.
Police Investigation Underway
The woman later discovered her bangles were missing and promptly filed a complaint with the police. Authorities have registered a case under BNS sections 303 (theft) and 318 (cheating). Using the vehicle registration number captured on CCTV footage, they are actively working to trace the miscreant. A police officer stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the suspect involved in this premeditated crime.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of senior citizens to sophisticated scams and underscores the need for heightened vigilance in urban areas like Bengaluru.
