Tihidi: Tihidi police Saturday arrested a youth for allegedly duping 19 job seekers of Rs 7.16 lakh promising them employment at Dhamra Port and in the Railways.
The accused, identified as Kamalakanta Ojha of Saraga village under Bania panchayat in Sabarang police limits, was produced in court following his arrest.
According to the complaint, Ojha had allegedly been running the job racket for the past six months, targeting unemployed youths from Tihidi and other areas. He reportedly collected substantial amounts from job seekers promising them various positions at Dhamra Port and security guard jobs in the Railways. After receiving payments through payment app PhonePe and in cash, Ojha allegedly issued fake appointment letters to the applicants.
Police said he collected Rs 7,16,900 from 19 youths. After discovering that the appointment letters were forged, the victims devised a plan to apprehend him. They contacted Ojha and persuaded him to visit Tihidi Thursday evening. When he arrived, the youths caught him and handed him over to police. Acting on a complaint lodged by Sujay Kumar Das of Santarapur village and other victims, Tihidi police registered a case (443/26) and arrested Ojha. Police said further investigation into the alleged recruitment fraud is underway.