Manipal: In yet another display of taking advantage of people facing difficult situations and in a desperate state, a man cheated a family of Rs 15,000 while they were in desperate need and thought he was helping them.

Sunil, a rickshaw driver by profession has a seven year old son who is mentally ill. He and his wife have prayed endlessly for the betterment of their son. In desperate times like these, Maresh (identified with his visiting card), arrived at the couple’s house one day and assured them that he could cure their sons illness.

He told the family that there is a special camp for special kids at Dharmasthala and that they provide free treatment. He took Rs 15000 in cash and left after having convinced the couple.

After doing so he went to the extent of preparing a Kashaya and giving the child one spoon of the same, which caused the child to fall asleep. He also prescribed 6 tablets to be given to the child.

The couple believed whatever he said as they were desperate to cure their child’s illness. When Maresh asked them to pay Rs 15000 as a camp fee, the couple agreed and gave him the money. Soon after he received cash, he escaped from there.

Later when Sunil told his friends about the incident, they sensed something fishy and called the number which was on the visiting card given by Maresh. The sim belonged to Andhra Pradesh and they came to know that they have been cheated.

Sunil has clicked a photo of Maresh’s car and has now registered a complaint at Manipal police station.