A deceptive criminal scheme targeting trusting residents under the pretext of spiritual blessings has been uncovered in Bokaro, Jharkhand. Local law enforcement officers from the BS City police station jurisdiction have apprehended two brothers who disguised themselves as holy men to rob a resident in the Camp Two locality. The duo approached the household, accepted a meal from the resident, and then exploited faith and superstition to swap authentic gold jewellery for brass trinkets before escaping. Prompt investigation led to their capture and the full recovery of the stolen items.
Blessings Turned into a Coordinated Swindle
The victim, Babita Devi, was approached at her Camp Two residence by two men dressed in traditional holy attire. Appealing to religious hospitality, they asked for food, which she generously provided. Once the meal concluded, the impostors began engaging her in conversation about personal hardships, claiming that their spiritual rituals could permanently resolve all her domestic difficulties and demonstrate miraculous interventions. To bestow their divine blessings, they instructed her to bring out all household gold and silver valuables.
Falling prey to their persuasive deception, the woman handed over her gold mangalsutra along with a pair of ear tops. Pretending to conduct a sacred rite, the suspects appeared to wrap the ornaments securely into a saree bundle. In reality, they swiftly pocketed the real gold and wrapped worthless brass pendants inside the fabric instead. Before taking their leave, the men gave strict instructions that the bundle was under spiritual lock and must not be untied before 5 PM, warning that opening it earlier would nullify the blessing.
Police Raid Near Railway Station Unmasks the Duo
As evening arrived, the homeowner opened the tied saree at 5 PM as instructed, only to discover ordinary brass lockets instead of her gold jewellery. Realising she had been systematically cheated, she promptly approached the BS City police station to lodge an official complaint. A dedicated investigative team led by the City Deputy Superintendent of Police initiated immediate inquiries using technical tracking and local intelligence networks.
Following actionable intelligence regarding the suspects' movements, police personnel conducted a coordinated raid on a temporary tent erected near the Balidih railway station. Both suspects were caught completely off guard inside the encampment and taken into police custody.
Origins Traced to Bihar and Seizure of Counterfeit Props
The arrested individuals have been identified as approximately 30-year-old Shambhu Lathor and his 25-year-old sibling Gayalal Lathor. Both brothers are residents of Beladih village, located within the Belaganj police station limits of Gaya district in Bihar. Law enforcement recovered the entire stolen property from their possession, consisting of the gold mangalsutra and ear tops. In addition, officers seized a substantial inventory of fraudulent paraphernalia, including brass pendants, amulets, metal rings, and an assortment of coloured stones used to stage bogus miraculous rituals.
Official Warning Issued Over Deceptive Spiritual Scams
City Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajiv Ranjan urged citizens to exercise heightened vigilance against itinerant frauds masquerading as ascetics. The official emphasized that criminals who misuse spiritual attire not only break the law but also harm the public standing and dignity of genuine ascetic traditions. Police authorities reiterated that residents should never surrender precious valuables, ornaments, or money to strangers making unverified supernatural claims.
