Lucknow, November 12, 2025 — Two men have been arrested by Krishna Nagar police for allegedly duping elderly women and stealing their jewellery using a cunning “handkerchief swap” trick. The accused reportedly approached women walking alone, claiming there was a police check ahead, and advised them to remove their ornaments for “safety” before stealing them.

“The accused have been identified as Imran, alias Munna (25), son of Jameel Ahmed, from Shahpur Bhamrauli Phatak under Dubagga police limits, and Kallu, alias Raju (25), 25, resident of Krishna Vihar. They were apprehended from the Gangakheda railway underpass on Tuesday morning,” said DCP West Nipun Agarwal.

The Modus Operandi

According to the police, the duo posed as scrap dealers riding around on a scooter. Upon spotting elderly women walking alone in neighbourhoods, they would warn them about alleged police checks ahead and suggest removing their jewellery for safety. The victims were instructed to wrap their ornaments in a handkerchief.

Exploiting this, the men performed a quick handkerchief swap — exchanging the victims’ real jewellery with a similar-looking empty handkerchief — and fled the scene before the women realized they had been duped.

“They were careful to change multiple sets of clothes before and after each act to avoid identification on CCTV cameras,” said ADCP South Vasanth Rallapalli.

Police are currently investigating whether the accused were involved in similar thefts across Lucknow and have urged residents, particularly senior citizens, to exercise caution when approached by strangers claiming official warnings.