They playacted as snake charmers and then used to con unsuspecting people and decamp with their valuables. However, the tricksters met their nemesis in Delhi Police and their ingenious way of duping people was exposed. It was an organised gang that used to cheat innocent people while performing tricks on streets with reptiles. These snake-in-grass wranglers used to slip wallets, mobile phones and other valuables off gawkers. Their arrest has led to the recovery of mobile phones — and a Hyundai Santro. The accused have been identified as Aslam (35), Hasmuddin (37) and Sherun (27). They were arrested by the staff of Vasant Kunj North police station.
“On April 20, information was received about the movements of a robber involved in a break-in case of Vasant Kunj North in Chandni Chowk area. A police team swung into action, laid a trap and arrested Sherun,” said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) PS Kushwah.
A team comprising of Sub-Inspector Dinesh and led by Station House Officer (SHO) of Vasant Kunj (North) Inspector Manmohan Singh was formed and a trap was laid, following which Sherun was arrested. On Sherun’s instance, his associates Hasmuddin and Aslam were also arrested from Ghaziabad, UP and one more robbed mobile phone was recovered from the possession of Hasmuddin.
Their modus operandi was that they played tricks on streets with the help of snakes and beguiled the innocents. While playing tricks, they would identify a soft target and cheat him of his wristwatch, cash, cell phone, gold ring and chain. They would show the snake and mongoose to people. They would later ask them to deposit all their valuables in the box. The victims were handed over a piece of stone or leaf and were asked to walk few steps without turning back and then throw the stone behind them. “By the time the victim would turn around and see what luck had thrown his way, the accused would flee the spot,” said a police official.
The accused also revealed that they had cheated various people by adopting a similar modus operandi in Delhi, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan and Jammu. Further investigation is in progress to verify their
other involvements.