NEW DELHI (Friday, March 6, 2026) — Delhi Police have arrested a man who allegedly posed as a spiritual seer to dupe a 65-year-old woman of her gold jewelry in the Pitampura area. The accused, identified as Mithun, was apprehended following a technical investigation, and a portion of the stolen ornaments has been recovered.
The Incident: A Fraudulent “Blessing”
The crime took place on the morning of March 3, 2026, when the victim, Raj Rani, was walking back to her home after completing household work in the neighborhood.
- The Approach: Mithun intercepted the woman, claiming to be a “seer” with divine powers. He managed to gain her trust by speaking about her personal troubles and family health issues.
- The Pretext: He convinced the victim that her gold ornaments were carrying “negative energy” and were the root cause of her problems. He suggested a ritual to “purify” the jewelry.
- The Theft: During the ritual, he asked the woman to wrap her gold bangles and a chain in a piece of cloth. Through sleight of hand, he replaced the ornaments with stones and handed the bundle back to her, instructing her not to open it for several hours to ensure the “blessing” worked.
Investigation and Arrest
When Raj Rani eventually opened the bundle and found it empty, she realized she had been cheated and approached the Maurya Enclave police station.
- CCTV Analysis: Police scanned footage from over 30 cameras in the Pitampura and Rohini areas to track the suspect’s movement.
- The Recovery: Mithun was traced to a hideout in Outer Delhi. Upon his arrest, police recovered one gold bangle belonging to the victim. He reportedly confessed to selling the other items to a local jeweler to fund his personal expenses.
- Criminal Background: Investigation revealed that Mithun had been involved in similar “faith-healing” scams across North and West Delhi in the past.
Safety Advisory for Senior Citizens
Delhi Police have issued a fresh advisory following a string of “fake seer” (Sadhubesh) incidents in residential colonies:
- Avoid Roadside Rituals: Never remove jewelry or hand over cash to strangers offering “spiritual solutions” or “miracle cures” on the street.
- Verify Identities: Be wary of individuals who claim to know your family history; such information is often gathered through social engineering or local eavesdropping.
- Report “Sleight of Hand”: If someone asks you to wrap valuables in a cloth or paper for a “blessing,” it is almost certainly a scam.
- Immediate Reporting: Report any such suspicious activity to the police helpline 112.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Man poses as seer, cheats elderly woman of gold jewellery in Delhi’s Pitampura; arrested” (March 6, 2026)
- The Times of India: “Fake ‘sadhu’ nabbed for duping Pitampura woman of gold worth ₹2 lakh” (March 6, 2026)
- Delhi Police Official Handle (X/Twitter): “Maurya Enclave PS arrests fraudster Mithun for cheating senior citizen” (March 6, 2026)
- Hindustan Times: “Spiritual scam in Delhi: Fake seer caught after cheating 65-year-old” (March 6, 2026)
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