<p>A man posing as a fortune teller warned a homemaker of an impending death in her family and made away with her gold jewellery and Rs 5,000 in cash.</p>.<p>Varadaraju, 67, a retired central government employee and resident of KPSC Layout, filed a complaint with the Jnanabharathi police. His 93-year-old father Ramagiri had died in the house on August 6.</p>.<p>The family lit a lamp outside the main door. They were painting and cleaning the house for the 11th day ritual.</p>.<p>Around 4 am on August 13, Varadaraju and his wife Sujatha were sleeping when a fortune teller paid them a visit. He said a person was already dead in the house and three more deaths were to follow.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-crime/blackmailed-by-boyfriend-teen-steals-jewellery-from-home-1140011.html" target="_blank">‘Blackmailed’ by boyfriend, teen steals jewellery from home</a></strong></p>.<p>After saying this, the man instantly left. Around 9.30 am the same day, the man returned when Sujatha was alone at home. Varadaraju was out shopping for the rituals.</p>.<p>The man scared Sujatha by telling her that there would be three more deaths in the house within a week and advised her that a puja had to be performed to stop the tragedy. He asked her for Rs 5,000 for the puja.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>Hypnotic black tilak</strong> </p>.<p>According to the police complaint, Sujatha noticed a black tilak on the man’s forehead and felt she had been hypnotised into following his instructions.</p>.<p>Besides the cash, she also handed over two gold chains and two gold rings weighing around 60 grams to the fraudster.</p>.<p>The fortune teller, who introduced himself as Krishnappa, told Sujatha that he would return the jewellery the next day after performing the puja and gave his mobile number.</p>.<p>Sujatha informed Varadaraju about the incident when he returned home.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-crime/bengaluru-police-team-arrest-chain-snatcher-aide-after-five-years-1139750.html" target="_blank">Bengaluru police team arrest chain snatcher, aide after five years</a></strong></p>.<p>The couple kept calling his mobile number till August 15 but received no response. The phone was switched off.</p>.<p>Varadaraju lodged the complaint on August 20 after the rituals.</p>.<p>Varadaraju told <em><span class="italic">DH</span></em> that Sujatha got scared when the man mentioned deaths since she worried about her daughters and grandchildren.</p>.<p>“She is not sure or can explain how she obeyed his instructions after she saw the black tilak on his forehead. The fraudster was fair, aged between 40-45, and spoke fluent Kannada,” he said.</p>
<p>A man posing as a fortune teller warned a homemaker of an impending death in her family and made away with her gold jewellery and Rs 5,000 in cash.</p>.<p>Varadaraju, 67, a retired central government employee and resident of KPSC Layout, filed a complaint with the Jnanabharathi police. His 93-year-old father Ramagiri had died in the house on August 6.</p>.<p>The family lit a lamp outside the main door. They were painting and cleaning the house for the 11th day ritual.</p>.<p>Around 4 am on August 13, Varadaraju and his wife Sujatha were sleeping when a fortune teller paid them a visit. He said a person was already dead in the house and three more deaths were to follow.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-crime/blackmailed-by-boyfriend-teen-steals-jewellery-from-home-1140011.html" target="_blank">‘Blackmailed’ by boyfriend, teen steals jewellery from home</a></strong></p>.<p>After saying this, the man instantly left. Around 9.30 am the same day, the man returned when Sujatha was alone at home. Varadaraju was out shopping for the rituals.</p>.<p>The man scared Sujatha by telling her that there would be three more deaths in the house within a week and advised her that a puja had to be performed to stop the tragedy. He asked her for Rs 5,000 for the puja.</p>.<p class="CrossHead"><strong>Hypnotic black tilak</strong> </p>.<p>According to the police complaint, Sujatha noticed a black tilak on the man’s forehead and felt she had been hypnotised into following his instructions.</p>.<p>Besides the cash, she also handed over two gold chains and two gold rings weighing around 60 grams to the fraudster.</p>.<p>The fortune teller, who introduced himself as Krishnappa, told Sujatha that he would return the jewellery the next day after performing the puja and gave his mobile number.</p>.<p>Sujatha informed Varadaraju about the incident when he returned home.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-crime/bengaluru-police-team-arrest-chain-snatcher-aide-after-five-years-1139750.html" target="_blank">Bengaluru police team arrest chain snatcher, aide after five years</a></strong></p>.<p>The couple kept calling his mobile number till August 15 but received no response. The phone was switched off.</p>.<p>Varadaraju lodged the complaint on August 20 after the rituals.</p>.<p>Varadaraju told <em><span class="italic">DH</span></em> that Sujatha got scared when the man mentioned deaths since she worried about her daughters and grandchildren.</p>.<p>“She is not sure or can explain how she obeyed his instructions after she saw the black tilak on his forehead. The fraudster was fair, aged between 40-45, and spoke fluent Kannada,” he said.</p>
