Beware! Winning trust is the new mantra to loot!

Balasore: Winning people’s trust has become the latest tool for miscreants to carry out loots easily. A man was today arrested in Balasore for looting over 10 senior citizens, mostly pensioners, by first gaining their confidence and offering to help them.

The accused, Ananta Panda would trap innocent elderly people, mostly coming out of banks, and tell them he is their family member’s acquaintance. Always approaching the victims riding on a motorcycle, he would offer them a drop to their house or a far off place they need to visit. On the way he would stop the two-wheeler and ask them to hand him the money and other valuables, informed Paresh Rout, Industrial police station IIC.

“He approached me addressing me as ‘mausi’ (aunt) and introduced himself as my son’s friend. He said my son had sent him to offer me a lift till Remuna or wherever I wanted to go. Once I sat on his motorcycle, he asked me to get down midway and asked me to give him the cash I had. I was shocked and couldn’t even shout for help,” said Subashini Pothal, a septuagenarian victim.

Police has seized a motorcycle, six cell phones, Rs 4 lakh cash and over gold jewellery 200 gm from the accused. He will now be court forwarded, said Amaresh Panda, Senior District Police Officer, Balasore.