Team Goemkarponn
Bicholim: A 65-year-old woman from Bicholim was allegedly swindled of her gold mangalsutra valued at around ₹3 lakh by an unidentified man who pretended to be a police officer, police said on Saturday.
According to Bicholim Police, the incident took place on Friday at about 12.30 pm near the Sankalp Building, adjacent to the Unnati Flowers Shop in Bicholim town. The victim, identified as Madhavi Naik, a resident of Gaonkarwada, was walking to a friend’s residence when she was stopped by the accused.
Police said the suspect, described as a tall man aged between 40 and 50 years, dressed in a light-coloured full-sleeved shirt and conversing in Marathi, introduced himself as a policeman. He allegedly cautioned the senior citizen about recent theft incidents in the area and instructed her to hand over her gold mangalsutra for “safe packing”, warning of possible penalties if she failed to comply.
Trusting the accused, the woman handed over her gold mangalsutra weighing approximately 50 grams. The man then returned a paper-wrapped bundle,b claiming it contained the jewellery, and immediately fled the scene. The victim later discovered that the packet contained only two small stones.
The complainant suffered a financial loss estimated at ₹3 lakh.
Following the complaint, Bicholim Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, relating to cheating, impersonation, and criminal breach of trust. A wireless alert has been circulated to police control rooms in Panaji and Porvorim to help trace the accused.
Police have once again advised the public, particularly senior citizens, to exercise caution and verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a law enforcement official before handing over valuables.
