A serious case of fraud has come to light from the Fafadih neighborhood of Chhattisgarh's capital, Raipur, where three conmen disguised as spiritual ascetics duped a homemaker of approximately 15 tolas of gold jewellery along with cash. The suspects manipulated the victim over several months by promising to cure her chronic ailments and warning her of dire familial consequences if she broke her silence.
Misleading Predictions Win Victim's Confidence
The sequence of events dates back to March when three suspicious men dressed as seers arrived unexpectedly at the residence of Jaswant Parmar in Fafadih. At the time, his wife Naina was present at home. The visitors spoke in a Rajasthani accent, which made their demeanor seem convincing. One of the men astounded Naina by accurately mentioning private details regarding her chronic illness and an ongoing eye problem. Because his statements matched her condition precisely, she became convinced that the men possessed genuine spiritual insight.
Capitalizing on her vulnerability, the impostors claimed they could permanently eradicate all her medical ailments and domestic difficulties through special religious rituals. To begin this purported process, they initially took a gold ring and 9,000 rupees in cash from her before departing the premises.
Threats of Disaster Used to Siphon Jewellery for Months
Roughly 10 to 15 days later, the three men returned and demanded more gold, claiming it was necessary to perform deeper purification rites. To ensure she did not seek advice from relatives, the trio instilled severe fear in her mind. They warned her that speaking about the ongoing rituals to anyone, including family members, would trigger a catastrophic misfortune upon her household.
Driven by this dread and unwarranted trust, the woman kept the entire ordeal secret while the suspects visited repeatedly between March and September. Over these periodic visits, they collected various gold ornaments, including chains, necklaces, and bangles, eventually amassing nearly 15 tolas of gold. The deception unravelled in September when the self-styled ascetics began telephoning her repeatedly to demand additional consignments of gold and money, finally prompting her to realize she was being swindled.
Police Launch Search for Inter-State Gang as Numbers Go Offline
Unable to bear the continuous demands, Naina disclosed the matter to her husband, Jaswant Parmar. The family immediately approached the police, who registered an official complaint and initiated search operations. Preliminary investigations revealed that all mobile phone numbers used by the three suspects have been switched off.
Investigating officers are examining whether the perpetrators belong to an organized inter-state racket. Authorities noted that similar deceptive tactics have previously been employed by gangs operating across Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Ujjain, where fraudulent holy men exploit fear, illness, and superstition to rob residents. Police teams are currently reviewing technical surveillance data, communication logs, and local leads to identify and apprehend the suspects.
