A light-fingered, sari-wearing woman allegedly stole gold while the owner looked the other way in India.

Footage shows two women seated near the jeweller and two others near the counter at the store's border in Bengaluru on May 22.

One of the women seated near the goldsmith raises her hand, allegedly signalling her accomplices behind her as soon as the owner begins threading jewellery onto a customer's nose. She can be seen using her sari to create a curtain.

The woman on the edge can be seen approaching the counter and reportedly placing something into her bag. This scheme is repeated two or three times.

Authorities said the women made off with jewellery worth around Rs 16 lakh (14,720 GBP).

Local media reported that this group of women is believed to be part of a larger gang that targets retailers and scams individuals in a similar manner.

In another incident, five armed robbers stormed a jewellery store in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on August 28.

The suspects wore helmets, while others used clothing to conceal their identities.

No injuries were reported despite the presence of firearms, and six squads have been deployed to track the suspects.

(1 Rs = 0.0092 GBP)