A woman residing in the Bhandup suburb of Mumbai recently became the latest victim of a sophisticated spiritual scam, losing gold ornaments valued at approximately ₹45,000. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, involved a con artist who convinced the victim that an elaborate 71-step ritual was necessary to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity to her household. This case highlights the persistent threat of fraudulent spiritualists who exploit the faith and vulnerabilities of unsuspecting citizens.
According to the initial reports filed with the Mumbai Police, the suspect approached the woman under the guise of a spiritual healer or "tantrik." He claimed to have seen a "dark shadow" over her family and suggested that only a specific sequence of prayers and offerings could rectify the situation. The victim, caught in a moment of vulnerability, agreed to participate in the process, which the fraudster described as a highly potent 71-step ritual that required the physical presence of gold to attract positive energy.
During the execution of this supposed ceremony, the accused instructed the woman to place her gold jewelry—including rings and a necklace—inside a cloth bundle. He asserted that the metal needed to be "purified" through the various stages of the ritual. As the victim was kept busy with specific tasks like fetching water or chanting specific verses, the suspect utilized sleight of hand to replace the valuable items with stones or imitation metal. The complexity of the 71-step ritual served as a distraction, ensuring the victim remained focused on the instructions rather than her belongings.
- Psychological manipulation tactics — fraudsters often target individuals facing domestic or financial stress to gain their trust quickly through cold reading.
- Sleight of hand techniques — the use of cloth bundles or "holy boxes" allows criminals to swap real gold for fake items without the victim noticing.
- Exploitation of superstition — criminals invoke the fear of "bad luck" or "curses" to prevent victims from questioning the logic of the ritual or checking their valuables.
The theft only came to light several hours later when the woman opened the bundle after the suspect had already departed the scene. Upon realizing that her gold worth ₹45,000 was missing, she immediately approached the Bhandup Police Station to register a formal complaint. Officers have since filed a First Information Report (FIR) under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
This specific legislation, often referred to as the Anti-Superstition Law, was designed to curb the influence of fraudulent godmen who exploit the public. Investigators in Mumbai have noted a recurring pattern where such criminals frequent residential colonies in Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, and Vikhroli. They often present themselves as traveling monks or astrologers to gain entry into homes before identifying potential targets for their scams, often using small chemical tricks to simulate "miracles" and build credibility.
The Mumbai Police have issued a fresh advisory to citizens, urging them not to entertain strangers offering "miracle cures" or "wealth-generating rituals." A senior official stated that these criminals are highly skilled at reading body language and picking up on personal details to make their claims seem legitimate. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious individuals claiming to possess supernatural powers to the nearest police outpost or by calling the 100 emergency helpline. "Public awareness is the strongest tool against such deceptive practices," the official remarked during a community meeting.
In recent months, the Eastern Suburbs of the city have seen a marginal increase in such petty crimes involving gold theft through deception. While the individual amounts—like this ₹45,000 loss—may seem smaller compared to high-profile bank heists, the cumulative impact on middle-class families is devastating. The police are currently scanning CCTV footage from the Bhandup area to identify the suspect, who is believed to be part of a larger gang operating across the Thane-Mumbai belt, moving frequently to avoid detection.
As the investigation continues, authorities are also looking into whether similar "71-step" scams have been reported in other jurisdictions. Often, these fraudsters move from one city to another once they have successfully duped a few victims in a specific locality. The Bhandup victim is currently assisting the police in creating sketches of the suspect, and local informants have been alerted to watch for individuals matching the description of the fraudulent "tantrik." The Mumbai Police remain committed to tracking down the culprit and recovering the stolen gold.
