Bhubaneswar: Tamando police arrested a man for allegedly duping another of Rs 13.30 lakh in a fish trade business fraud case, police said Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Tapan Kumar Dalai alias Tulu, was apprehended following a written complaint filed by Manas Kumar Sahu.
According to the complaint, Tapan, along with his wife Sarojini Dalai and associate Sushanta Mohapatra, approached the complainant to rent his shop at Sijuput under Tamando police limits to run a fish business.
They produced Aadhaar cards and claimed to be fish traders from Manikadeipatna under the Jankia police station in Khurda district. After performing a puja, they began operating from the shop but avoided signing a formal rental agreement on various pretexts.
Later, the accused allegedly lured the complainant into investing in a fish supply business catering to marriage orders, promising high returns. Between December 21, 2024, and February 1, 2025, the complainant transferred Rs 13.30 lakh in cash and via UPI to bank accounts provided by the accused, including one in the name of Asif Ali Khan.
Despite repeated requests, the accused neither supplied fish nor returned profits, and switched off their phones.
Investigation found they were not genuine traders and were linked to similar frauds.
The complainant filed a police case.
Tapan, identified as a history-sheeter, repaid Rs 1.80 lakh, promising a balance payment within 15 days, but defaulted.
Police arrested him and produced him in court. Further probe is underway