Some elderly women in Banaswadi lost their gold jewellery to a conman, who convinced them to remove the jewellery to receive free saris and other goodies.
Posing as a supporter of the local legislator, he convinced women to come along with him to a venue stating that saris and others goodies were being distributed by the legislator.
The accused aged around 40 convinced Kasturi Bai (80) and other women in Chairman Layout in Banaswadi and took them in a car for some distance before telling them to remove the gold jewellery, citing that the legislator may not give them free saris and goodies.
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The women, who had reluctantly agreed to go with him, complied and were trying to tie them in their saris when he advised them to keep the jewellery in the car’s dashboard. They could take it back later, he said.
An unsuspecting Kasturi Bai and others removed their gold jewellery and handed it over to the accused.
After reaching the busy Banasawadi Main Road, the accused asked them to get down and wait for him, while he would go and get the required forms to be filled up by the women to avail themselves of the goodies.
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The cheating came to light when the accused did not turn up even after four hours while the women waited on the road side.
They returned home with the help of an autorickshaw driver to narrate the incident to their family members.
According to the police, Kasturi Bai, who lives with her grandson, initially refused to go stating that she was alone at home and she could not walk. However, the accused lured her by offering a lift in his car and promising to drop her back.
While Kasturi Bai, in her complaint, has valued her gold jewellery including a chain and a pair of ear rings at Rs. 65,000, the other women, who were also conned by the man are yet to file their complaints.
The Banaswadi police have taken up a case of cheating and are investigating. The police said that they are looking for the possible CCTV camera image to identify the accused.