Keonjhar: Town police arrested a man for allegedly cheating a local resident of Rs 5.5 lakh by promising him a government job. The accused was identified as Ranjit Kumar Das of Kendrapara district, currently residing at Hirakud. The case was registered based on a written complaint filed by Goura Chandra Sahoo, 58.
Police found that the accused claimed to have influential contacts in government offices. He took the money in several installments and fled. Police nabbed him from Hirakud on June 5.
Details of the Case
According to the complaint, Sahoo was promised a government job in exchange for a sum of Rs 5.5 lakh. The accused, Das, allegedly convinced Sahoo that he had connections with high-ranking officials and could secure the job easily. Trusting these claims, Sahoo paid the money in multiple installments over a period of time. However, when the promised job did not materialize, Sahoo grew suspicious and demanded his money back. Das reportedly avoided his calls and eventually fled from his residence.
Police Investigation and Arrest
After receiving the complaint, Keonjhar police launched an investigation and traced the accused to Hirakud. A team was dispatched, and Das was arrested on June 5. During interrogation, he confessed to the crime and disclosed that he had spent the money on personal expenses. Police are now probing whether he was involved in similar scams targeting other individuals.
The arrest has brought relief to the victim and his family, who had been under financial stress due to the loss. Local residents have praised the police for their swift action and urged authorities to take strict measures against such fraudulent activities.
Modus Operandi
Investigations revealed that Das targeted vulnerable individuals by promising them government jobs in exchange for money. He would claim to have contacts in various government departments and assure the victims of a quick appointment. Once the money was paid, he would either disappear or make excuses for delays. Police suspect that there may be more victims who have not come forward due to fear or embarrassment.
Authorities have advised citizens to be cautious of anyone promising government jobs for a fee. They emphasized that legitimate government recruitment processes are transparent and do not involve payments to individuals. Anyone with information about such scams is encouraged to report it to the nearest police station.
The accused has been remanded to judicial custody, and further investigation is underway. Police are also working to recover the defrauded amount to return it to the victim.
