Mysore/Mysuru: Criminal gangs targeting senior citizens under the pretext of fake accidents and extorting huge sums of money continue to operate in the city.

Following reports published in Star of Mysore cautioning senior citizens not to panic during such incidents and to immediately inform the Police, two vigilant senior citizens successfully foiled extortion attempts yesterday morning.

In the first case, Prof. B.V. Sambashivaiah, Chief Executive of JSS College on Ooty Road and a resident of Kuvempunagar, was driving from his home to the college around 8.45 am.

Near SDM College on JLB Road, he heard a loud ‘thud’ but assumed it was something falling from a tree and continued driving.

Moments later, a two-wheeler rider who had been following him overtook his car and stopped it near Aradhya Bhavan. Confronting Prof. Sambashivaiah, the rider alleged that Sambashivaiah’s car had hit his bike and that his friend had been seriously injured in the accident.

The rider accused Sambashivaiah of driving away without stopping to help.

Sambashivaiah calmly explained that he had not realised it was a collision and thought the sound came from something else, apologising for any misunderstanding.

The rider then insisted he accompany him back to the ‘accident spot’ to apologise, and even inquired if Sambashivaiah was in a hurry to reach his office.

Sensing something suspicious, Sambashivaiah pretended to comply, got back into his car and drove off with the rider following closely. Instead of going to the alleged accident site, he headed straight to his college, switched vehicles and later drove to the said location — only to find no trace of any accident. Sambashivaiah personally recounted the incident to Star of Mysore, confirming it was an attempted extortion scam.

No number plate

In the second case, a 65-year-old resident of Jayalakshmipuram was on his way to his farm at Ayarahalli around 8.45 am. As he drove past St. Mary’s Circle, he heard a loud sound but did not stop his vehicle. Soon after, a youth on a Honda Activa scooter sans number plate intercepted his car near JSS College Circle. The youth claimed the car had caused an accident and that another youth had been injured.

The senior citizen, staying calm, told the rider he would immediately inform the Police and proceed legally. At this point, the youth panicked and sped away.

The senior citizen later revealed to SOM that he had encountered similar fake accident scams four times in two years, highlighting how persistent these extortion rackets have become.