Blind man cons motorists with sob stories, caught

Bengaluru: What would one do if they come across a blind man in the middle of the road struggling to cross the street? But this particular person would try to dupe people who lend a helping hand to him.

HAL police on Saturday arrested Uday, after he was caught red handed by the police while he trying to fleece a person.

According to an inspector attached to HAL police station, “The modus operandi of the accused was that he would deliberately stand on the middle of the road and attempt to cross. Seeing a blind man struggling to cross the road with a thin stick, the motorists would step in to help and even offer lift.”

The officer further said that Uday would the narrate stories like ‘I am going to sell my blood, as I need money to buy a stick’. Hearing about his plight they would offer help. So far, Uday has cheated over five to six people, all from Outer Ring Road near Marathahalli.

A resident of Eijipura, Uday has been allegedly duping people for many months. On a daily basis, he managed to get over Rs 10,000 in the form of help. The HAL police has sent the offender to Beggars Colony and also informed his parents in Eijipura.

A software professional from Whitefield, who was cheated of Rs 4,500, told Deccan Chronicle, “I met Uday in June. He was walking in the middle of the road and was trying to cross. I stopped my car and offered lift. On our way, he told me that he was going to Command Hospital to sell blood. When I asked the reason he replied that he needs money to buy a stick. Moved by his story I bought a new GPS-enabled stick that costs around Rs 5,000 for him.”

He continued, “However, to my disappointment I saw him again on Saturday talking to someone. I grew suspicious and asked the concerned man who was extending help to him and was shocked to learn that he had narrated the same story to him to make money. I immediately informed the police, who reached the spot and detained him.”

During investigation it came to light that Uday had duped many people, including 10 software professionals. One software professional, who helped police catch Uday, got his money back.

The HAL police are continuing with their investigation and trying to ascertain as to how many people he has duped so far.