Bengaluru Man Alleges Movers and Packers of Theft Worth Lakhs: ‘Most Horrific 48 Hours Of My Life’

A Bengaluru man who hired a company to move his home has alleged a theft involving items worth lakhs. Ankit Mayank claimed that a team of seven movers stole a bag containing Rs 2 lakh in cash and gold. Additionally, he alleged that the team stole imported perfumes, gold-plated pens, and other valuables and left his home in an “unimaginable” state.

On August 14, Mayank hired movers and packers to relocate his home, a decision he later described as the “worst” and “biggest nightmare” of his life. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), he claimed that the movers stole a bag containing Rs 2 lakh in cash, a pair of gold earrings, two gold bangles, and other valuable items.

Mayank also shared a video of his home, alleging that the movers had “raided” the place, rummaging through everything and taking valuables. “Many expensive things like imported perfumes (Dior), limited edition ~50-year-old pens (Gold plated), few bags are still missing/damaged. Several important documents and property papers are missing too. The damage to a few furniture and house belongings like cupboards is additional,” he wrote on X.

He further alleged that the company is not taking responsibility for the stolen items, claiming that the theft is the fault of the staff, not the company itself.

The Bengaluru-based entrepreneur also accused Vidyaranyapura Police Station of not taking the case seriously, suggesting that “something fishy” was going on. He noted, “They didn’t mention the company as accused, despite us requesting them to. They named only one accused in the FIR & not the other 6. They had the accused’s addresses as they lived in the company’s provided accommodation, yet they didn’t mention it in the FIR. They had the accused’s addresses as they lived in the company’s provided accommodation, yet they didn’t mention it in the FIR.”

Mayank expressed that he and his wife are “mentally and emotionally broken”. He also revealed that the stolen items belonged to his mother-in-law who has been in a coma for over a year.

What did the company say?

In response to the allegations, Halef International issued a statement expressing deep regret over the situation. The company claimed that Mayank did not inform them about the transportation of cash, jewellery, antiques, and other valuable items when booking their services. They emphasised that they do not encourage the transport of valuables and cash and had advised Mayank to secure all valuables in advance.

“Once everything was delivered and set up, we requested payment. Instead of responding, they suddenly claimed that a bag was missing, a bag that no one was previously aware of. Despite this, the team under their and their family member’s supervision, diligently searched for the bag until 3:00 am (August 15) but found nothing. They then complained to the Kodigehalli police, who, after investigation found nothing suspicious and FIR was not done,” the company said in a statement.

It added, “Following this, the couple unlawfully detained the team and house arrested, confiscating the vehicle keys and holding them for 24 hours in their house. One of the team members was physically assaulted by Ankit Mayank. Despite the Kodigehalli police denying their claims due to lack of evidence, the couple then demanded Rs 5 lakh from our company as ransom. When we refused, they escalated the situation to Vidyaranyapura police station, where the team was held in custody for further investigation for 24 hours before the FIR.”

The company stated that it attempted to resolve the issue by offering a reasonable amount, but the couple demanded more money and subsequently filed an FIR with false claims. “Post FIR, Mayank reached out to one of the company’s employees and spoke for 22 minutes late at night and demanded what would be the last counteroffer and threatened he would make use of his Twitter handle to defame the company if his demands were not met by the company,” the company further said.

It concluded, “We have complete faith in Bengaluru city police who are investigating the matter, and shall co-operate our best.”

Mayank’s response to company’s claims

Mayank alleged that the company shared his and his wife’s personal details, including phone number and address online. As a result, he has been receiving calls from unknown numbers and OTPs from apps he has never used.

“Now if anything happens to me, my wife or my wife’s mother, in any manner, only they will be held responsible,” Mayank wrote in a post.

He also refuted the company’s allegations and clarified that he has not held any employees hostage, noting that on August 15, the company’s manager visited his apartment several times and stayed there for hours.

“The company is cleverly trying to hide a few points which are already mentioned in the FIR. Out of the missing Rs 2 lakh case, Rs 50,000 was found in one of the cupboards by the employees at 8 am on August 15, while the bag and the other belongings inside continue to be missing. It has to be noted that the employees searched the same spot multiple times throughout the night, including in front of us but couldn’t find anything. But mysteriously appeared on the next morning,” Mayank posted.

He added, “Two of the employees went out of our flat and the apartment twice without information at night on August 14. One time before the police were about to come and secondly after the police left. It continues to remain suspicious of why they went outside the apartment at night.”

An investigation into the matter is underway.