Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Routine activities like morning walks, grocery shopping and ATM transactions are increasingly turning risky for senior citizens in the city. Fraudsters are targeting elderly people by speaking politely, claiming familiarity, offering help or luring them with fake promises. Two such incidents within 24 hours have once again raised concerns over the safety of senior citizens.
Eighty-five-year-old Kamal Patil was on her way to a grocery store on May 13 around 8 am when an unidentified man stopped her, claiming to be her son’s friend. He engaged her in conversation and said money had arrived in her name and he had been asked to hand it over to her. Pretending to count the money, he forcibly placed cash in her hand and then claimed he needed to check the weight of her jewellery before giving her the amount. Before she could react, he snatched four gold bangles weighing around five tolas and fled.
Citizens ignored elderly woman’s pleas
Patil immediately tried to alert nearby citizens and requested them to chase the accused, but no one came forward to help. A case has been registered at Pundlik Nagar Police Station.
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ATM fraud continues
Fraud cases inside ATM centres are also continuing in the city. Despite CCTV cameras installed at ATM centres, police have struggled to trace the accused through footage. Retired officer Hanif Yusuf Baig (73), a resident of Beed Bypass, visited an ATM near Shahnoormiya Dargah on May 12 around 6 pm. A man approached him claiming there was a technical issue with the machine and offered help. The fraudster observed Beg’s PIN, swapped his ATM card and later withdrew Rs 81,500 by swiping the card at different fuel stations.
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Series of Similar Crimes
Apart from knife-point robberies and chain snatching, fraudsters are now cheating senior citizens through fake donation drives, sweet talk and offers of assistance.
On April 21, Rs 1.43 lakh was withdrawn after swapping the ATM card of 56-year-old Vanmala Gosavi.
On the same day, Vijay Chavan lost Rs 43,000 after his ATM card was exchanged.
On April 22, 70-year-old Mhalasa Pagare was robbed of silver ornaments and cash after being told donations were being distributed.
On April 14, 70-year-old Sarubai Kamble was lured on the pretext that money had arrived in her son’s bank account and was robbed of 5 grams of gold.
On March 27, Padma Argi (65) was duped in Gulmandi after being told clothes were being distributed, and her one-tola gold ornament was stolen.
On March 28, a retired officer was robbed of jewellery after fraudsters falsely claimed that a murder had taken place nearby.