Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Nov 2: In a bizarre twist to street crime, Lucknow Police have arrested six women who devised an unusual and cunning method to steal gold jewellery from unsuspecting passengers — by pretending to vomit during shared rides.

The accused, identified as Jyoti, Mala, Archana, and Neetu from Chandauli, Lakshmi from Mau, and Vandana from Ghazipur, were nabbed near Virat Crossing by a Gomtinagar police team acting on CCTV footage and tip-offs from informants. Police recovered three gold chains, a gold locket threaded in a black pearl necklace, and Rs 13,000 in cash from their possession.

According to DCP (East Zone) Shashank Singh, the women operated in perfect coordination, using deception and disgust to their advantage. “One of them would engage the victim in conversation, while another pretended to feel nauseous and began vomiting into a dupatta or bag. As co-passengers turned away in discomfort, another gang member would swiftly unhook the victim’s gold chain or mangalsutra and pass it along. The group would then hurriedly get off at the next stop, pretending to be embarrassed,” Singh explained.

Their first known theft occurred on October 27 when Kiran, a resident of Vibhav Khand, lost her mangalsutra during a shared auto ride near Virat Crossing. Two days later, the same tactic was used on Nisha Verma of Viram Khand, whose gold chain was stolen during an e-rickshaw ride. Police suspect that the e-rickshaw driver was also part of the conspiracy.

Following complaints filed by both victims, the police tracked the gang’s movements through surveillance footage. The accused are now being interrogated for similar crimes reported across Lucknow, Mau, and Chandauli districts. Investigators believe the women are part of a wider network targeting women passengers in urban transport.

Police have urged commuters to remain alert while travelling in shared autos and e-rickshaws, especially when confronted with suspicious behaviour meant to distract or cause panic.