Pune Police Impersonators Swindle Gold Chains Worth ₹2.6 Lakh from Senior Citizens
In a disturbing series of incidents in Pune, two conmen posing as police personnel have stolen gold chains valued at approximately ₹2.60 lakh from two elderly residents. The brazen cheating occurred in the Narhe and Pashan localities on Monday night and Tuesday morning, targeting vulnerable senior citizens.
Pashan Incident: Morning Walk Turns into a Nightmare
On Tuesday morning, a 75-year-old woman from Pashan was out for her routine walk near her residence when she was approached by two individuals on a motorcycle. The duo, presenting themselves as police officers, warned her about a recent spate of chain-snatching incidents in the neighborhood.
"They advised her to remove her gold chain and keep it securely. Pretending to assist, they offered to wrap the chain in paper for safekeeping," explained an officer from the Baner police station.
After the men departed, the elderly woman unwrapped the paper only to discover two metal rings instead of her precious gold chain, which was worth ₹1.70 lakh. She immediately reported the incident to the authorities.
Narhe Case: Late-Night Deception
In a strikingly similar modus operandi, a 75-year-old man was targeted late on Monday night in the Narhe area. Around 10:30 PM, two men approached him near his house, cautioning him about rising thefts and suggesting he remove his gold chain for safety.
When the senior citizen complied, the conmen took the chain, valued at ₹90,000, under the guise of wrapping it in paper. "After they left, he realized the chain was missing and promptly filed a complaint," stated an officer from the Narhe police station.
Police Investigation and Suspicions
Authorities from the crime branch have reviewed CCTV footage from both crime scenes and strongly suspect that the same duo is responsible for these coordinated cheating acts. "We are actively working on several clues and leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators," a crime branch officer confirmed.
The police have urged residents, especially the elderly, to remain vigilant and verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a police officer. They recommend not handing over valuables to strangers, regardless of the pretext provided.
These incidents highlight a growing concern for the safety of senior citizens in urban areas and underscore the need for enhanced community policing and public awareness campaigns to prevent such fraudulent activities.
