Goa police hunting for conman in Uttar Pradesh

, March 18: Police are on the lookout for a conman in

who is believed to have lured four women from

promising them jobs in Germany and then robbing them of Rs.5 lakh.

William Mathew allegedly called the victims to Shahajanpur in Uttar Pradesh, checked them into a hotel, drugged their refreshments and later tortured them into revealing their ATM password before withdrawing the money and fleeing for good, police said.

"We were promised jobs as house-keepers and maids in Germany by Mathew who had published an ad in a local English newspaper," said one of the victims.

"We were asked by him to deposit money in our own bank accounts as proof that we would be willing to pay visa fees as required," the victim narrated while filing a complaint at the Calangute police station.

When enroute to Delhi by train, the four women were asked to take a detour to Shahajahanpur where, they were told, the visa forms would be signed by the Germany-based employer, who was holidaying in India.

"When we reached Shahajahanpur, we were taken to a place called Durga tourist hotel, where we were served tea and snacks after which we felt drowsy and fell asleep. When he woke up he tortured us into giving him the ATM numbers. He withdrew the money and disappeared," one of the victims said.

The police, who are on the lookout for Mathew, have already contacted the Uttar Pradesh Police for assistance.

According to Inspector Rajesh Kumar, attached to the Calangute police station, a first information report has been registered under sections 328, 394 (causing hurt while committing robbery) and 380 (theft).

IANS