Police said Manoj Singh preached honesty online but lived a double life, with over 10 criminal cases already registered against him. (Image Credits: Pinterest/ Sam Henderson)
In a startling turn of events, a 42-year-old YouTuber known for his motivational speeches on honesty and crime prevention has been arrested for committing burglary. The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate confirmed on Thursday that the accused, Manoj Singh, a resident of Cuttack, was behind a recent burglary at a couple’s residence in Bhubaneswar.
Police said Singh, who ran a motivational YouTube channel, allegedly broke into a house on August 14, stealing 200 grams of gold, over ₹1 lakh in cash, and a motorbike.
Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh revealed that the accused presented himself as a man of values in front of the camera, while indulging in crime after dark.
“During the day he projected himself as a motivational speaker, but at night he was involved in burglaries,” the commissioner remarked.
Investigators noted that on his YouTube channel, Singh often lectured on “living an honest life” and even released episodes on “how one turns out to be a criminal” and “how to check crimes.” Ironically, his real-life actions contradicted every lesson he preached.
According to police records, more than 10 criminal cases have already been registered against Singh in various police stations across Bhubaneswar. His arrest reveals his lengthy history of stealing and breaking and entering while deceitfully posing as a motivator.
Officials say his double life helped him gain the trust of locals while simultaneously allowing him to operate unnoticed.
Online discussions about the arrest have been triggered by the sharp discrepancy between Singh's words and deeds, which has left many in disbelief. The irony of a man who preached of honesty yet chose dishonesty for himself was the subject of a deluge of comments on social media sites.
Authorities have assured that further investigations are underway to trace Singh’s network and recover the stolen valuables.
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The growing concern about internet influencers and content providers presenting false personas is further highlighted by this instance.In view of the abundance of motivating content on platforms like YouTube, police officers stressed the importance of exercising caution and not blindly following self-styled gurus.
Singh is still being held as his past crimes are being investigated, according to police.The recovery of the stolen goods is still a top priority, particularly the gold and motorcycle.
