Balasore: A young salon owner, a barber by profession, from Soro town in Balasore district, was duped of Rs 1,48,095 by a man posing as a police officer who promised him a job in the Bhadrak police department.
The incident, which unfolded over several months, has prompted an investigation by Soro police after the victim discovered the ruse upon receiving a forged appointment letter. The victim, Bansidhar Barik (31), son of Kahnucharan Barik from Bahadalpur village under Khaira police station, has been running a salon in Ashramchak area under Soro municipality for quite some time.
According to details shared by Bansidhar, the accused, Manoj Kumar Dutta from Ankula village under Simulia police station, became a regular customer at the salon for haircuts. Over time, the two developed a friendship during these visits. Exploiting this trust, Manoj Kumar Dutta introduced himself as an officer in the police department and approached Bansidhar with an offer to secure him a position in the Bhadrak police department.
Believing the promise, Bansidhar handed over the money in instalments: Rs 38,095 transferred from two bank accounts and Rs 1,10,000 in cash via PhonePe, totalling Rs 1,48,095. To arrange the funds, Bansidhar reportedly borrowed money and even mortgaged a gold necklace.
In return, Manoj Kumar Dutta provided Bansidhar with an envelope containing what he claimed was an official appointment letter from the Odisha Police. However, Bansidhar initially refused to open it in the accused’s presence. Upon returning home and examining the contents, he found not a legitimate document, but a fake appointment letter, two ATM cards in the names of unrelated individuals,
Realising he had been cheated, Bansidhar immediately lodged a written complaint at Soro police station. Based on the complaint, Soro police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter.
