Woman dupes 65-year-old of ₹1.25 lakh in name of prasad in Ahmedabad

A 65-year-old woman from Ranip in Ahmedabad was deceived by an unidentified woman who gained her trust under the pretext of collecting prasad (holy offering) and fled with ₹1.25 lakh in cash.

The accused, who arrived on a blue-coloured Access scooter without a number plate, is absconding, and police have launched an investigation.

As per the complaint filed at Ranip police station, Kokilaben Prabhudas Patel, a resident of Kalyana Kunj Apartment on Radhaswami Road, was on her way to visit a relative when she was stopped near Sarveshwar Mandir around 1 pm on January 7.

The woman, dressed in a light pink outfit with a white dupatta covering her face, called out to Kokilaben, leading her to believe that she was a relative’s daughter-in-law.

Under this false pretext, the fraudster claimed she needed money for prasad and initially asked for ₹1,000. When Kokilaben said she did not have the amount at hand, the woman persuaded her to take her home to fetch it.

Once inside the house, as Kokilaben went to the kitchen to retrieve her purse, the accused followed her and first took ₹25,000 from a wallet. She then manipulated Kokilaben into revealing if there was more money, prompting her to take out ₹1 lakh from her husband’s locker. After taking the cash, the woman abruptly left, promising to return. However, when Kokilaben stepped outside, the woman and her scooter were nowhere to be seen.

Upon realising she had been scammed, Kokilaben informed her son Kalpeshbhai, who later reported the incident to the police. The authorities have recorded statements from her husband and son as key witnesses.

Ranip police are now reviewing CCTV footage from the area and urging residents to remain cautious of strangers seeking money under religious pretences. Citizens are advised not to entertain unknown individuals and to verify identities before making financial transactions.