Bhubaneswar: Police arrested five persons, including a woman, on Tuesday for allegedly duping unemployed youths of around Rs 1.5 crore by promising them government jobs and handing over fake appointment and joining letters under the Baidyanathpur police station in Ganjam district.
The accused were identified as Jagdish Kumar Behera, Banita Behera, Ajit Panda, Sisir Kumar Mishra and Litu Swain. Jagdish and Banita are husband and wife.
According to reports, the accused came in contact with unemployed youths and allegedly lured them with promises of government jobs. They collected money from the victims through bank transfers and cash and also retained their original certificates.
After examination dates were announced, the accused allegedly obtained the roll numbers mentioned on the victims’ admit cards. They then prepared fake appointment and joining letters purportedly issued by various organisations and handed them over to the victims.
The youths realised they had been duped when they reported to the places mentioned in the fake appointment letters. The accused had allegedly targeted job seekers in Bhubaneswar, Kataka and Ganjam.
During raids, police seized fake appointment and joining letters, receipts related to financial transactions, records of online money transfers and nine smartphones.
All five accused were arrested and produced before a court on Tuesday. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the extent of the racket and identify other victims.
