The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- A Bengaluru astrologer named Venkatesh is on the run after allegedly cheating a homemaker of 329 grams of gold jewellery worth around ₹40 lakh.
- The Byatarayanapura police registered the case on September 7 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with cheating.
- Venkatesh allegedly convinced the woman that gold ornaments were needed for rituals to Goddess Chowdeshwari to resolve her son's alcohol habit and find a marriage alliance for her daughter.
- Over nearly a year, he collected the jewellery in instalments, then sent a fake video claiming he was injured in an accident when she asked for the ornaments back.
- The case highlights how fraudsters exploit religious faith and family worries to extract valuables from vulnerable people.
What to watch next
- Whether police track down and arrest Venkatesh, whose phone remains switched off.
- Whether the gold jewellery is recovered or accounted for.
- Whether other victims come forward with similar complaints against the accused.
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1 report
English national1
All filed from India
Named India · Girinagar · Victoria Hospital · Byatarayanapura Police · Venkatesh
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