Bengaluru Tax Officer Loses Jewellery Worth Rs 31 Lakh To ‘Parrot Astrologer’ Scam

A senior Income Tax department officer in Bengaluru has alleged that he was cheated of gold and silver ornaments worth more than Rs 31 lakh by a roadside astrologer who promised to perform rituals to improve his luck and career prospects.

The complaint, filed with the Bharathinagar police earlier this month, describes how a chance interaction with the astrologer gradually turned into a financial loss involving valuables from the officer’s home.

The officer, who has served in the department for over three decades and is currently posted in Koramangala, said he first came across the astrologer in December 2025 near Sri Circle in the Bharathinagar area. The man, identified as Shekhar, was offering roadside fortune-telling services commonly referred to as “parrot astrology.”

In this method, a trained parrot selects a card from a deck, which the astrologer then interprets. The astrologer then interprets the card as a prediction about the client’s life.

From A Simple Reading To Expensive Rituals

According to the complaint, the astrologer approached the officer, claiming that he could read a person’s future simply by looking at their face. Interested in what the man had to say, the officer listened.

During the exchange, the astrologer told the officer that he was going through an unfavourable phase and advised him to perform certain rituals to improve his prospects. He also reportedly indicated that such rituals could improve the officer’s career prospects.

The officer agreed to the suggestion and paid Rs 50,000 for the ritual.

About a week later, the astrologer contacted him again, claiming that although the ceremony had been performed, an additional and more powerful ritual was required for long-term benefits. The officer reportedly declined the offer at that stage.

However, the two continued to remain in touch.

Jewellery Taken For Ritual

The situation escalated when the officer later sought advice from the astrologer regarding a possible job transfer. At that point, the astrologer allegedly suggested another ritual, saying that it would require gold and silver ornaments from the officer’s home.

He reportedly assured the officer that the valuables would be used only as part of the ritual and would be returned after the ceremony.

On February 20, when his family members were not at home, the officer collected gold ornaments weighing about 194 grams, including a necklace, bracelet, and earrings. He also gathered around 1.3 kg of silver items.

The jewellery was handed over to the astrologer with the understanding that it would be returned the next day. However, the officer later told police that the astrologer repeatedly postponed returning the items, saying the ritual had not yet been completed.

Complaint Filed With Police

When the astrologer stopped taking his calls and replying to messages, the officer began to suspect that something was amiss. According to the complaint, the accused also allegedly threatened the officer and his family when he was asked to return the jewellery.

Soon after, the astrologer disappeared from the area where he had been operating. The officer then approached the Bharathinagar police and filed a complaint on March 5.

Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges related to cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal intimidation. Officers said the accused is currently absconding, and efforts are being made to trace him.

Police say cases like this often unfold gradually. The accused first gains the victim’s confidence through repeated meetings before asking for money or valuables. Police said the incident shows how easily people can be misled by strangers promising solutions to personal or professional worries.