DWARKA PRASAD PATNAIK, OP
Chhatrapur: Chhatrapur police have arrested four people, including the alleged mastermind, for allegedly defrauding job seekers on the pretext of providing employment. Three of those arrested are women, Chhatrapur IIC Sabyasachi Malla said at a press conference Friday. The arrested people were identified as Deepa Behera and Narayan Sethi, a married couple from Paikajamuna village in Kabisuryanagar block; Bishnupriya Behera of Puruna Chhatrapur; and Sunita Das of Agasti Nuagaon in Chhatrapur block.
According to police, a fake job interview was being conducted at a community hall Thursday for positions such as peon and accountant in various block and tehsil offices. Suspicion arose when applicants were allegedly asked to pay large sums of money. The candidates alerted police, who arrived at the venue and detained several people for questioning. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had allegedly been duping young men and women in Chhatrapur and other parts of the district for more than a year by promising them jobs. Police said the group collected money from job seekers after issuing fake appointment letters and identity cards. Following a complaint by Imran Khan of the Putigopalpur area under Chhatrapur Municipality, police registered a case (420/2026) at Chhatrapur police station.
Based on the investigation, police arrested the four accused, including the alleged mastermind, Friday. Police seized RS 25,000 in cash, a motorcycle, three mobile phones and 11 fake appointment letters and identity cards, Malla said. The investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of the alleged scam, whether others were involved and how much money was collected from job seekers.
