‘Bizman’ from Bangkok steals four sovereigns

The victim was identified as M Gopi of Mylapore, working in a pharmacy in Greams Road. Gopi first met the conman at his mother’s flower shop in front of Mylapore Anjenaya temple on January 6. The conman claimed his name to be Karthik and told Gopi’s mother that he returned from Bangkok to spend his two months leave in Chennai. He added that he wanted to sponsor a daily annadanam for one month to the temple.

The visitor had claimed that he was a resident of Boat Club area and sought a lift in Gopi’s two-wheeler to procure grocery at Parrys’ Corner. On Tuesday, Gopi took the Bangkok man to Parrys and they later went to meet Karthik’s wife who was said to be shopping in T Nagar.

While on the way to T Nagar, Karthik has told Gopi to stop in a hotel at VN Road for had refreshment. After placing the order, Karthik appreciated the design of the 4 sovereign gold chain that Gopi was wearing. Karthik has requested Gopi to remove the chain to have a closer look. After Gopi removed the chain from his neck, he handed it over to Karthik.

While the chain was in Karthik’s hand, they both further travelled to Usman Road. Karthik had asked Gopi to park the vehicle, to go the second floor of a building to meet his wife. When Gopi returned after parking, he found Karthik to be missing. He then realised and became aware of the cheating incident. Gopi later lodged a complaint with the Pondy Bazaar police station.