SCAM ALERT: BENGALURU SOUTH
I am going to narrate the story of how I lost ₹2600 and a speaker in my own house in BROAD DAYLIGHT to two men posing as volunteers of a Gurudwara. One of them claimed to be the son of a guru who could read minds.
Quick note: I am a female living alone in Bangalore south. I do not live in a gated society. Safety is always a bit of a concern.
This happened around 12:30 pm today. A man knocked on my door and with a very warm smile, he asked me if I was Punjabi. I said no, I am not. He said that the Ulsoor Gurudwara has a function and that he would need some donation to feed people. Before I could react, he shoved a book in my hand and it had names of people who had given generous amounts. Good old trick in the book.
I asked if there is a receipt and he said there was. In no time, another older man spawned out of nowhere and he demanded a generous donation. They seemed legitimate. I thought, no harm, no foul. The receipt turned out to be fake much later when I checked.
I didn’t know until after this incident that begging for donations is prohibited in Sikhism, and that Gurudwaras do not send volunteers on the street to ask for money.
I donated ₹500 and asked for the receipt. Suddenly the older man who is supposed to be a face reader and the son of a Guruji stopped me and started telling me strange yet true things about me. He guessed my birthdate, my mother’s name and many other things in between.
In no time, these two men were inside my house. I was astounded by the things they were saying so I didn’t think about my safety as critically as I should have. Nor did I get the moment to look up their organisation or do a background check. I am very much liable for not being wiser in that moment.
However, what held me back was also having an inkling of good faith in these two men. I am religious to some extent, and I was convinced in the next 15-20 minutes that these were learned men. In retrospect, that sounds stupid, but here is a list of things they did:
* Asked me to tear a piece of paper into 4 parts and then fold the four parts into a ball. The face reader chanted a mantra and suddenly the paper had pieced itself back when he asked me to open the crinkled ball of paper
* Asked me to think of numbers, names and places - guessed all of them exactly to the mark. The other man with him would act shocked or appalled every time he got the right answer
* Asked me to pay ₹7100 to fix my mother’s health through a 33 day prayer intervention. My mom is not in good health at the moment and I was surprised they knew. I said I cannot spare that much money, especially since it’s just the start of the month. They started guilt tripping me and saying things like: what is bigger? your rent or your mother’s wellbeing?
* After denying multiple times to pay that sum, he asked for ₹5100. I denied once more. Few minutes later, ₹3100. I said not possible and the most I can spare is ₹1000. He was furious and started bringing different gods into the equation. Would ask me to say a new diety’s name every 2 minutes. A lot of emotional tactics.
* I finally caved and paid ₹2100. I thought at least now they would leave. To my misfortune, he started predicting my future. Gave me a small stone with Hanuman on it and asked me to do some ritual with it. He said I need to quit living alone, smoking and drinking. There was a lot of shaming of my lifestyle choices. He predicted who I will marry though I told him I am not thinking of marriage. It was very intense, the more and more he spoke.
They finally got up to leave. He saw my bluetooth speaker and said he needs it for the Gurudwara to listen to spiritual hymns. (lol what even).
I was taken completely aback. They wouldn’t leave. There was a LOT of guilt tripping every time I said no. And mind you, I had no reason to feel guilt tripped by a complete stranger but it was very suffocating. They took the speaker too.
As they left, he said “Don’t look at our backs. It’s not good.” (This is as hilarious as it sounds).
All I wanted to do was close and lock the door. I called my security and asked him how did they get in. He had no idea since he was having lunch. He took his bike and went to search for them. No signs whatsoever.
I did some research after they left and found that multiple people have been scammed this way. Some have paid higher amounts, they have been threatened and this has been happening for a few years.
Gotta give it to them, these guys are sharp. There is a lot of thought into the very design of their scam.
Though I am sad about losing my money and my belonging, what really disheartened me was the amount of lies they could act out in the name of faith. In India, religion and God have powerful influences. Anyone can fall a prey these things, and it’s quite a shame.
Anyway, I will report this to the police tomorrow but I am sharing this story for awareness. Don’t want more people to be taken advantage of.
Thank for reading.