Yashodhar Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jun 24: A late realization appears to have dawned on a number of people from in and around the town, that a man who approached them seeking money to fix tiles to their floors and interlocks to their courtyards, requesting for donations for conducting religious rituals like Sarpa Samskara, or to build a roof for his roofless home, happens to be actually a fraudster. The number of people who have fallen prey to the clever designs of this simple-looking man, is swelling. Many, particularly women, from places like Kotebagilu, Kodangallu, Alangar, and Mastikatte, secretly admit to having been duped by this man.

If a person with normal build, looks, and height, with dark complexion and speaking Tulu fluently, introduces himself as Keshava from Kotebagilu, you can rest assured that he wants to take you for a ride. Because, the list of people who got convinced at his claims and paid him between Rs 500 and Rs 2,500 as either donation or advance payment, is quite big, although no one has come forward so far to file complaint in the police station.

The fraudster is said to study in advance about the family he approaches for help or work. Usually he goes when women members are present. He promised a woman from Marpady to fix tiles to the floor of her house, and convinced her to part with an advance of Rs 1,000. The same person was present when an entrepreneur from Kodangallu donated Rs 500 for conducting Sarpa Samskara. When he visited the house of a hotellier nearby, he convinced the house owner to donate Rs 2,500 after making him believe that he badly needs to build a roof on his head to shield from torrential rains.

The family of a hotel manager living in Mastikatte almost became a victim to the evil intentions of the person, who claimed that he is agreeable to part with good quality cement sheets he has with him for half the normal rates. However, before the deal was finalized and actual payment was made, the hotel manager came to the house after having been told by his family members, to discuss the issue in detail. Sensing that his chances of robbing the family had just turned bleak, the man made a silent exit.

The people swear that he is not from outside the district, based on the manner in which he speaks Tulu. Even though the person has duped many, none of them have either been able to catch hold of him, nor have they taken the initiative to file police complaint, perhaps for the fear of becoming a laughing stock in front of others.