Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (TP)

Karkala, May 6: An elderly resident of Belman in Karkala taluk was allegedly cheated of over Rs 12 lac by a group of individuals who promised to cure his ailing wife through Ayurvedic treatment.

The complainant, Ronald Rodrigues (68), a former overseas worker, is currently residing in Belman with his wife Rosy, who is suffering from cancer and paralysis. On March 23, 2026, Rodrigues had taken his wife to a private hospital in Manipal for physiotherapy treatment.

Karkala police station (file photo)

During his visit, he came into contact with a person named Siddharth near the Kadiali temple in Udupi. Siddharth claimed that his own mother had suffered from a similar illness and was cured through Ayurvedic treatment. Gaining Rodrigues’ trust, he introduced him over the phone to another person named Madhav, who stated that the treatment would require a significant amount of money.

Believing their claims, Rodrigues transferred money via Google Pay to a bank account in the name of Anil Pawar, as instructed by Madhav. Later the same day, Siddharth demanded more money, prompting Rodrigues to withdraw Rs 40,000 in cash and hand it over.

Subsequently, Siddharth asked Rodrigues to visit an Ayurvedic medical shop located in a commercial building in Udupi for further consultation. There, Rodrigues was introduced to a person named Anil. Along with Madhav, Anil convinced him that purchasing certain medicines would cure his wife’s illness.

Trusting their assurances, Rodrigues issued multiple signed cheques from his HDFC Bank account to Anil—Rs 3 lac each through three different cheque numbers and Rs 1.8 lac through another cheque number—amounting to Rs 10.8 lac. He also received some medicines from them.

However, despite administering the medicines, his wife showed no signs of recovery. When Rodrigues later tried contacting the accused, all their phone numbers were found switched off. Realising he had been cheated, he approached the police.

Based on his complaint, a case has been registered at Karkala Town police station. Investigation is underway.