Caregivers Accused of Embezzling Rs 35.5 Lakh from Elderly Couple in Pune

Pashan, 12th May 2025: In a troubling case of betrayal, two caregivers hired to assist an elderly couple in Pashan have been accused of siphoning off ₹35.51 lakh from the couple’s bank accounts over a period of six months.

The Chatushrungi police have booked the duo under charges of criminal breach of trust. The accused were employed through a caregiving agency and had been working with the couple, whose children live abroad, for over three years.

The alleged theft occurred between September 2023 and March 2024. The formal complaint, filed by the woman last week, led to the registration of an FIR on Saturday.

According to police officials, the husband is mobility-impaired and relies heavily on full-time assistance. “The couple placed their trust in these caregivers, but the accused misused that trust to carry out a well-planned fraud,” said a senior officer from Chatushrungi police station.

Explaining their method, the officer said, “One caregiver would accompany the ATM card to make cash withdrawals while the other stayed back at the flat. After each transaction, they would delete the SMS alerts sent by the bank to the woman’s phone, preventing the couple from discovering the withdrawals.”

In addition to ATM transactions, police suspect that cheques were also misused in a similar fashion. “They frequently withdrew amounts between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000, quietly draining the accounts over several months,” the officer added.

The fraudulent activity came to light in March when the woman reviewed her bank statement and noticed several unfamiliar transactions. “Alarmed, she approached the bank for clarification. After cross-checking with bank staff and confronting the caregivers, the couple realized they had been systematically deceived,” police said.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the case, including verifying whether the agency that provided the caregivers conducted proper background checks. “We are gathering digital evidence and tracking all suspicious withdrawals,” said the investigating officer.
No arrests have been made so far, and police said the accused are currently being traced.