What seemed like a helpful gesture on a rainy evening ended in disappointment for a 78-year-old man who lost his gold ring worth over ₹50,000 to a stranger in west Bengaluru.
According to police, K Sathyanarayana Rao was out for his routine evening walk on June 8 when the incident took place. At around 7.15 pm, he stopped near a vegetable shop on Muddinapalya Main Road. As the rain grew heavier, he decided to return home without making any purchases.
While waiting, an unidentified man arrived on a two-wheeler with a child and offered Rao a lift, claiming he was travelling in the same direction towards Solapuradamma Temple. Although Rao initially declined, he later agreed due to the worsening weather.
Stranger gains trust before fleeing
After dropping Rao on the road leading to the temple, the stranger reportedly noticed the elderly man’s gold ring and expressed admiration for its design. He told Rao that he wanted to get a similar ring made and requested a closer look.
Trusting the man, Rao removed the ring and handed it over for inspection. However, before he could react, the stranger accelerated his scooter and fled the spot with the jewellery.
The stolen ring is estimated to be worth more than ₹50,000.
Police launch investigation
Following the incident, Rao approached the police and lodged a complaint. Investigators have registered a case and are working to identify the suspect.
Police have once again urged senior citizens and members of the public to remain cautious when interacting with strangers, even when they appear helpful. Officers advised people not to hand over valuables to unknown individuals under any circumstances.
The incident serves as a reminder that fraudsters often exploit trust and moments of vulnerability to target unsuspecting victims.