Bengaluru Woman Allegedly Duped of Rs 2.5 Crore in Fake Ritual Scam Promising Rs 10 Crore Return

A shocking case of financial fraud has come to light in Bengaluru, where a woman was allegedly cheated out of Rs 2.5 crore after being convinced that expensive religious rituals would remove evil spirits from her home and eventually bring her a fortune. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the growing number of scams that exploit emotional distress, religious beliefs and financial vulnerability.

The victim, identified as Kumuda, is originally from Andhra Pradesh and currently resides in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet area. According to the complaint filed with investigators, the fraud began after she experienced a personal tragedy. Her son had reportedly died in a motorcycle accident, leaving her emotionally devastated. The accused allegedly took advantage of her grief by convincing her that supernatural forces were responsible for the unfortunate incident.

Police have now registered a case against three individuals, including a man who allegedly presented himself as a spiritual leader or baba. The matter is currently being investigated by the Central Crime Branch, which is examining how the accused gained the victim’s confidence and persuaded her to hand over such a large amount of money.

Investigators believe the fraud started with what appeared to be a simple spiritual consultation. Kumuda reportedly came into contact with middlemen while discussing financial matters related to taking a loan against her property. During these interactions, she was introduced to a man identified as Apsar Pasha, who was presented as a spiritual expert capable of performing special rituals to remove negative energies from her home.

According to the complaint, the accused claimed that evil forces had entered her house and were responsible for the series of misfortunes she had suffered. They allegedly insisted that only elaborate religious ceremonies could eliminate these supernatural influences and restore prosperity to her family.

Initially, the accused are said to have collected around Rs 8 lakh from the woman under the pretext of conducting special rituals. As the trust between the victim and the accused grew, they allegedly introduced an even bigger financial proposal that promised extraordinary returns.

The complaint states that the accused later claimed a massive amount of money would soon be received from the Reserve Bank. They allegedly told Kumuda that if she could arrange Rs 2.5 crore as a temporary loan, they would return Rs 10 crore after the funds were released. The promise of receiving four times the investment reportedly convinced the woman that the proposal was genuine.

Believing the assurances given by the accused, Kumuda allegedly decided to sell her property in Chamarajpet. According to investigators, the house was sold for approximately Rs 8.5 crore. From the proceeds of the sale, she reportedly handed over Rs 2.5 crore to the accused, expecting to receive the promised amount in return within a short period.

However, the promised payment never arrived. As weeks passed without any repayment, the victim began demanding her money back. It was only then, according to the complaint, that she realised she had allegedly been trapped in a carefully planned fraud.

The case became even more serious when the woman claimed that the accused did not simply refuse to return the money but also threatened her with dire consequences. She alleged that when she repeatedly asked for repayment, the accused threatened to kill her if she continued to pursue the matter. These allegations have added criminal intimidation to the already serious cheating accusations.

Based on the complaint, the Central Crime Branch has registered a First Information Report against Apsar Pasha and two alleged middlemen identified as Shankar and Bharat. Investigators are now examining financial transactions, communication records and other evidence to determine how the money was transferred and whether additional individuals were involved in the operation.

Police are also trying to establish whether the accused targeted other victims using similar methods. Fraud cases involving fake spiritual healers and self proclaimed godmen have surfaced in different parts of the country over the years, with victims often being emotionally vulnerable individuals seeking solutions to personal, financial or family problems.

Experts say such scams typically rely on building trust over time before introducing larger financial demands. Fraudsters often exploit grief, fear, illness or religious faith to manipulate victims into making decisions they would otherwise avoid. Once confidence is established, they frequently promise miraculous cures, financial rewards or spiritual protection in exchange for increasingly large payments.

Law enforcement agencies continue to advise people to remain cautious whenever anyone claims they can multiply money, remove evil spirits for huge payments or guarantee extraordinary financial returns. Officials stress that genuine financial institutions never require secret cash payments or supernatural rituals for investment opportunities.

Citizens are encouraged to verify the identity and credibility of anyone requesting large sums of money, regardless of how convincing their claims may appear. Family members are also advised to stay involved when elderly or emotionally distressed relatives begin making major financial decisions based on promises that seem unrealistic.

The Bengaluru case serves as another reminder that fraudsters often rely more on psychological manipulation than technical tricks. By exploiting personal tragedy and offering false hope, they can persuade victims to part with life savings and valuable assets. As the investigation progresses, police are expected to examine every aspect of the alleged fraud to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and identify anyone else connected to the case.