Reporter’s diary: A senior citizen who can’t retire from conning

And, the accused would be mostly youngsters and sometimes Iranian gangs or even women as often reported of late. So, this scribe naturally became curious when he received information about the arrest of a senior citizen on the charges of attention diversion. However, the accused’s name, Ameer Basha, rang a bell and, on enquiries, it was found that he had already reported the arrest of the same person by a special team just two months ago.

While he was released on bail recently, the Seven Wells police arrested him again in connection with a complaint registered in July. While the police use this strategy of keeping someone behind the bars by making subsequent arrests only if they find him or her to be notorious, it was baffling why a 78-year-old man should be handled the same way.

However, when contacted, an officer said that it was his age that works for him to commit offences and get away with it. “He would wander government hospitals in the city looking for elderly women. He would approach them claiming that he can help them get pension for senior citizens and offer to get benefits in other government schemes. After earning their trust, he would warn them of chain snatchers on the prowl and ask them to keep it inside their bags. In the guise of helping them, he would wrap the valuables in a paper, but hand them over a different paper with stones or artificial chains inside,” said the officer. He added that they have managed to nab him after six years and yet, the accused was at it again once out on bail. Apparently, in this case, age is no factor!