Astrologer accused of defrauding woman of 39 kg gold in religious scam

Authorities have initiated a search operation to locate an astrologer who allegedly duped a woman of significant quantities of gold through fraudulent means involving religious practices. The suspect reportedly convinced the victim to hand over the precious metal under the guise of religious ceremonies or rituals.

A formal case was registered on September 7 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which addresses offences related to cheating and dishonestly inducing persons to surrender property or valuable securities. The provision carries stringent penalties for those found guilty of financial fraud.

The accused fled the jurisdiction before law enforcement could apprehend them, prompting police to expand their search efforts. Investigators are examining the modus operandi used in the scam to identify potential additional victims who may have fallen prey to similar tactics.

The case highlights a recurring pattern of fraudsters exploiting religious beliefs and spiritual sentiments to perpetrate financial crimes. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution when dealing with self-proclaimed spiritual practitioners and to verify credentials before engaging in transactions involving valuable assets.