Thandanala, April 23: Once an unassuming hamlet nestled in the Gularbhoj area of Udham Singh Nagar, Thandanala village has now caught national attention for all the wrong reasons. Recent arrests in Gurugram have peeled back the layers on a disturbing trend: a network of fraudsters who allegedly use hypnotism and theatrical tricks to rob unsuspecting victims of their valuables.

With barely 100 homes, Thandanala was not even on the radar until recently. That changed when a combined police operation by Gurugram and Uttarakhand police resulted in the arrest of two suspects for the robbery of an elderly woman. That single arrest opened a Pandora's box. Police investigations have since uncovered links to similar offences in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, reported Times of India. Robbery Caught on Camera in Punjab: Robbers Hypnotise Woman Sitting Alone in Cosmetic Shop, Flee With 3 Gold Rings Worth Lakhs in Moga; Video Surfaces.

Historically, the Qalandars made a living by performing with trained bears and monkeys in public shows. But after the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act came into force, this was prohibited. Losing their primary source of income, many community members allegedly turned to deception and fraud to survive. Udaipur: Woman 'Hypnotised', Robbed of Gold Worth INR 4 Lakh in Rajasthan City, Daylight Robbery Video Surfaces.

The Setup Begins in Public

The scam usually begins with a man posing as a spiritual guru befriending a stranger in a public area, warning them of an unknown curse or treasure within their residence. Shortly afterwards, a second accomplice — neatly dressed and presenting himself as a thankful follower appears and authenticates the guru's abilities by saying he had recently found treasure after a similar experience. This scripted encounter gains the confidence of the victim and makes them invite the 'seer' home for a purification ritual.

Distraction, Hypnosis, and Escape

Within the residence, the scammers conduct a simulated ritual using props like ball-bearing equipment, shiny bowls, and magnets to create an impression of supernatural activity. As the victim is diverted, frequently half-hypnotised accomplices quietly steal valuables. In other instances, one member interacts with other household members to gain access to various areas of the residence. By the end of the ritual, the gang is gone, leaving the victim none the wiser about the robbery until hours later.

What’s Next?

While police continue to patrol the village and arrest other suspects, experts believe that the increase in such cases demands greater public awareness and tighter policing of wandering criminal gangs.

As additional victims emerge, Thandanala, once forgotten, now stands firmly in the national limelight for its supposed evolution from a performing community to a hub of conmen who excelled at the art of deception.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2025 09:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).