Team Goemkarponn
CHICALIM: In a shocking daylight incident that has triggered serious concerns over rising impersonation crimes, a 75-year-old woman from Chicalim, Vasco, was robbed of gold ornaments worth approximately ₹1.8 lakh by two unidentified men posing as police officers.
The victim, Anusuya Velinggiri, was walking home near Vidhya Mandir school on Tuesday afternoon after shopping in Vasco city when the incident occurred. Two men on a motorcycle approached her and initiated a conversation, claiming to be police officials.
According to sources, the men cautioned the elderly woman about wearing visible gold ornaments in public, citing a surge in thefts targeting women. Under the pretext of protecting her, they advised her to remove her jewellery immediately to avoid being targeted.
Trusting their warnings and mistaking them for genuine police officers, the unsuspecting woman removed her gold chain and two bangles. In a swift move, the imposters grabbed the ornaments and fled the scene on their motorcycle before she could react.
By the time Velinggiri realised the deception, the culprits had disappeared. The stolen jewellery is estimated to be worth around ₹1.8 lakh. The incident has left the senior citizen traumatised and triggered panic among local residents.
Alarmingly, police sources revealed that a similar case was reported later the same day in the Arlem area of Margao, where another woman was duped using an identical method. In both cases, the conmen posed as police officers and convinced the victims to part with their valuables.
Vasco police have registered a case and launched an intensive investigation. CCTV footage from the area is being analysed, and coordination with other police stations is underway to verify whether the same culprits are behind both incidents.
In light of these events, police have issued a public advisory, urging citizens—particularly senior citizens—not to trust individuals claiming to be officials unless they produce valid identification. Authorities have also requested the public to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station without delay.
These back-to-back impersonation crimes have reignited the debate around the safety of vulnerable citizens and the urgent need for increased public awareness.
