Fortune teller arrested for stealing Rs 8 lakh gold from homemaker in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: The Bengaluru police have arrested a 42-year-old man who allegedly stole gold worth Rs 8 lakh from a homemaker by posing as a mendicant fortune teller.

The incident occurred in March 2024 in Virat Nagar, Southeast Bengaluru.

The suspect, identified as BM Venkataramana, a resident of Gudemaranahalli village in Ramanagara, was arrested on January 10 while roaming suspiciously in Bommanahalli, dressed as a fortune teller and carrying a rattle drum.

According to the police, in March 2024, Venkataramana approached a 37-year-old homemaker, claiming he could predict her future.

As part of his ploy, he placed two earthen pots before her and instructed her to fill one of them with all the gold in her house along with some rice. He said it was as part of a "ritual". 

"He recited mantras to divert her attention and switched the pot containing the gold with another filled with rice,” an investigator said. The suspect left with the gold-filled pot, leaving the other behind.

The woman discovered the deception after Venkataramana left. She filed a complaint with the Bommanahalli police. Initial investigations yielded no leads.

However, during routine beat policing on January 10, officers noticed a man dressed as a fortune teller behaving suspiciously in Bommanahalli.

Upon questioning, Venkataramana confessed to the crime during interrogation. He revealed that he had pawned the stolen gold at a finance shop in Chintamani.

The stolen gold has since been recovered, and a Bengaluru court has remanded Venkataramana to judicial custody.