Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, May 30: A cunning gang has been actively targeting elderly people and women across Jamshedpur and nearby areas for the past few months. Disguised as service providers or visitors, these miscreants enter homes under false pretences, render victims unconscious using sprays and flee with valuable jewellery within minutes.
In three recent incidents, residents of Bagbera and Adityapur fell prey to these fraudsters. On April 30, an elderly woman named Annu from Bagbera Colony was approached by a man who requested drinking water. Once inside, he sprayed an anesthetic to make her unconscious and escaped with her gold chain and bangles worth over Rs 2 lakh. Her children raised an alarm, alerting neighbours who came to her aid.
A day earlier, on April 29, another similar incident occurred in Premkunj Society, Harharguttu. Two men pretending to sell cleaning powder entered the home of elderly resident P. Nagmani. Claiming their product could polish fridges and clean items effectively, they used the ruse to get inside. Once in, they sprayed a sedative and made off with gold bracelets worth Rs 1 lakh.
The most recent case was on May 28, when two men visited the home of retired civil surgeon Prithviraj Singh in Adityapur M Type area. Pretending to deliver an invitation card, they suddenly attacked Singh, snatching a gold chain and ring before fleeing on a motorcycle.
Victims describe the attackers as well-dressed men aged between 35 and 40, often speaking in a mix of rustic and fluent Hindi. CCTV footage has captured their images, yet the police have been unable to trace them. The gang’s polished appearance and use of believable excuses make it difficult for residents to suspect foul play.
Police and local authorities are urging citizens—especially the elderly—not to allow strangers into their homes and to avoid letting anyone handle their valuables. With three major thefts reported in a span of one month, fear and caution are gripping residents of Jamshedpur.
