An Indian scammer has admitted to stealing jewellery worth $150,000 from a woman he met at Sydney’s Darling Harbour by swapping the valuables with a coconut during a fake prayer ritual.
It is reported that Gursewak Singh, 25, pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining property by deception in Blacktown Local Court on Monday.
Singh’s lawyer indicated they planned to file a mental health application.
The court heard that Singh introduced himself to his victim as a saint from the sacred Indian city of Haridwar on January 9.
It is further reported that over several meetings, Singh gained her trust and persuaded her to participate in ritual prayers, where she would close her eyes while he chanted and “blessed” her personal items.
By early February, Singh convinced the woman to offer more than the $20,000 in jewellery she initially wanted blessed, leading her to bring an additional $130,000 worth of gold and diamonds.
Travelling to her home for an hour-long ritual, Singh allegedly swapped the valuables for a coconut while her eyes were closed. The woman later realised the theft and reported it to police.
When officers arrested Singh at Darling Harbour, he admitted to the crime and led them to the stolen jewellery, which was hidden in a shopping bag at a city backpackers’ hostel.
The Indian national was due to return to India on February 6 but remains on bail ahead of his next court appearance on March 10.
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