Politicians, businessmen falling prey to the 'rice-puller' scam: Protect yourself
Another Delhi businessman has fallen prey to the 'rice-puller' scam, a common trick conmen use to dupe targets. In the latest case, a father-son duo cheated the businessman of Rs. 1.43cr. They had assured him NASA would be willing to pay up to Rs. 37,500cr for the useless item, which they claimed was rare. Know all about the scam so you can protect yourself.
What is the 'rice-puller' scam?
The 'rice-puller' is supposed to have rare properties, with which it can pull rice towards itself, a power that apparently makes it priceless to scientists. One conman approaches the target as a seller and convinces them of its magical properties, which they 'prove' by simple tricks. The other then comes as an expert to validate its authenticity. Payments often take place in instalments.
The Delhi conmen procured fake Hazmat suits for the scam
In the Delhi case, Virender Mohan and his son Nitin would approach targets at social events and introduce 'rice-pullers.' Virender would later contact a potential 'buyer,' pushing them to pay for the 'rice-puller' and related tests which would prove its value. Nitin would pose as a NASA-scientist. But they'd keep postponing 'tests' even as the victim kept paying for 'Hazmat suits' and other gear.
Frauds use school-level magnetic tricks to fool victims
To convince clients of its authenticity, the father-son duo would coat the 'rice-puller,' a simple copper plate, with a magnetic layer, and insert tiny iron pieces into boiled rice grains. The 'rice-puller' would then actually pull the grains, thus fooling victims.
Businessmen, even politicians not spared
What makes the scam alarming is that though it's very basic, educated, established people are falling prey. Scammers have made a wide range: a 'baba' in Delhi (April'11), an organized gang in South India (August'11) and an idol-smuggling cop in Chennai (August'15). Incidentally, a Karnataka politician paid Rs. 6cr for a 'rice-puller'. An AP man even killed his cousin over a 'rice-puller' (March'16).
The Delhi father-son duo arrested, gear recovered
In the Delhi case, the businessman approached police after he had paid the father-son duo, both motor mechanics, Rs. 1.43cr in instalments, eventually realizing he was being duped. Both men have been arrested and the 'rice-puller' copper plate, fake Hazmat suits and other protective gear recovered from them.
