Key Facts
Odisha Police has arrested a 45-year-old man for allegedly cheating a person of ₹21 lakh in Ganjam district on the false promise of securing a loco pilot job in the railways for his son, an officer said on Friday.
The accused, identified as Gadadhar Nath of Olatpur in Cuttack district, was arrested from Aska area on Thursday, police said.
Details of the Fraud
The complainant had transferred the entire amount through online transactions during 2024-25, Aska Sub-Divisional Police Officer SR Pradhan said. To gain the complainant's confidence, the accused allegedly provided a job offer letter and a joining letter purportedly issued by the Eastern Railway in Kolkata. However, when the complainant's son went to Kolkata to join the job, the documents were found to be fake, police said.
"The letter did not contain any name or address and was found to be forged," Pradhan said.
Confrontation and Threats
After learning about the fraud, the complainant confronted the accused and demanded the return of his money. The accused allegedly assured him that the amount would be refunded within six months. When the money was not returned, the complainant visited the accused's residence and again sought repayment. The accused allegedly abused him and chased him with a sword, police said.
Compromise and Arrest
A complaint was subsequently lodged at Dhusuri police station. During a compromise reached on May 12, the accused agreed to return the money within four months and immediately paid ₹3 lakh, police said. However, when the accused failed to honour the agreement and allegedly abused the complainant again, an FIR was lodged at Aska police station, leading to his arrest.
Aska IIC S K Sahu said police were investigating whether any other job seekers had been duped by the accused.
What Readers Should Know
- Always verify job offers through official railway recruitment portals.
- Do not transfer money to individuals promising government jobs.
- Report any suspicious job promises to the police immediately.
FAQ
How much money was defrauded in this Odisha job scam?
The accused cheated a job seeker of ₹21 lakh by promising a loco pilot job in Eastern Railway.
Who was arrested in the Odisha railway job fraud case?
Gadadhar Nath, a 45-year-old resident of Olatpur in Cuttack district, was arrested by Odisha Police.
What documents did the accused provide to the victim?
The accused provided a fake job offer letter and joining letter purportedly issued by Eastern Railway, Kolkata.
What action did the police take after the complaint?
After a failed compromise, an FIR was lodged and the accused was arrested. Police are investigating if more victims exist.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com