Road safety has now become one of the major concerns in cities, not just because of accidents but also due to rising instances of fraud. With growing technology and tactics, fraudsters are now finding new ways to scam people, especially senior citizens. Recently, one such case in Bengaluru came to notice where scammers pretended to be mechanics on Hosur Road to deceive an elderly couple. Scroll down to know the full incident.
Scammers In Bengaluru Pretends To Be Mechanics
On September 2, an elderly man, N Lakshmanan, aged 76, and his 70-year-old wife were travelling from Chennai to Bengaluru. When they reached near Hennagara Main Road, two men on a motorcycle suddenly stopped them, claiming that smoke was coming from the car’s left wheel. The scammers introduced themselves as mechanics, believing them and to avoid any issue with the car, the couple let them have a look at the vehicle, reported Deccan Herald.
Pretending to fix the car, the scammers asked the couple to open the bonnet and rev the engine. They then claimed they saw sparks and said that a “faulty sensor” needed urgent replacement. Further, one of the two men pulled out a small gadget and pretended to fix it in the car. After this, the men demanded ₹18,000 and refused to accept online payments. With no other option, the elderly man went to an ATM, withdrew money using his wife’s credit card, and handed it over to them.
More About The Incident
A few days after paying the money to the two men, Mr. N Lakshmanan went to an authorised service centre to get his car checked. During the examination, it was found that no sensor had been replaced, and the car was in proper condition. Realising he had been scammed, he said he lost his senses during the ‘sensor’ episode.
Another incident came to notice when a user on X shared that gangs on Hosur Road were distributing flyers about a “safety fee.” Drivers were asked to pay ₹400 under this pretext. Such cases highlight the growing need to treat road safety as a priority. Authorities must take strict action against gangs posing as social workers or helpers.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Robert Kneschke (Representative Image)