In a distressing case that preys on vulnerability, a 44-year-old woman in Bengaluru has been allegedly defrauded of ₹1.5 lakh by a man who promised to secure financial aid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The victim, still grieving the loss of her mother, approached police after months of waiting yielded nothing but silence.

Key facts:

  • Complainant lost ₹1.5 lakh in the alleged fraud
  • Accused promised ₹9 lakh from CM Relief Fund
  • Medical bills totaled ₹12 lakh for gangrene treatment
  • Vidhana Soudha police have initiated action

A Promise of Relief

The woman’s ordeal began in October 2025 when her mother underwent surgery for gangrene at a private hospital in Udupi. Despite treatment, her mother passed away, leaving behind substantial medical expenses. Struggling with both grief and financial burden, she sought help through an acquaintance named Manjunath.

The Bait and Switch

Manjunath introduced her to Venkata Reddy, who claimed to work at Vidhana Soudha. Reddy allegedly offered a solution: he could arrange ₹9 lakh from the CM Relief Fund to cover most of the ₹12 lakh medical costs. The catch? He demanded ₹1.5 lakh as commission upfront, with a guarantee that the relief would be sanctioned within 53 days. Trusting his assurances, she paid the amount and provided copies of medical bills and documents.

Broken Trust

Weeks turned into months with no relief funds materializing. Reddy became unresponsive, leaving the woman realizing she might have been targeted during her most vulnerable moment. The empty promises compounded her distress, transforming hope into financial loss.

Police Action

The Vidhana Soudha police have now registered a case against Venkata Reddy based on her complaint. Charges include cheating, intimidation, and accepting money under false pretenses of facilitating government relief. Investigators are working to uncover the full scope of the alleged scheme.