Cuttack: A bizarre incident of cheating has come to light in Cuttack, where a rape survivor was allegedly duped of Rs 1 lakh 1 thousand by two individuals impersonating as employees of the Cuttack District Collector’s office.
The victim, a minor at the time of the gang rape in 2020, had received financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh from the District Legal Services Authority as per a court order. After receiving Rs 3 lakh 75 thousand in the first installment, the victim was approached by the accused, who demanded a commission of Rs 1 lakh 1 thousand, claiming it was necessary for releasing the remaining amount.
Believing their claims, the victim deposited the amount in three installments into the accused’s accounts. However, upon realizing she had been cheated, the victim lodged a complaint with the Lalbag police station.
“A man posing as an official of the Collector’s Office called me and informed me about the financial assistance. In February, a woman impersonating herself as an employee of the Collector’s Office, named Sangeeta Madam, told me over the phone that the money would be transferred in three instalments,” the victim said.
When she received the money, the same woman again called me and asked me to pay Rs 1 lakh, failing which she would block the remaining amount. “She gave me two PhonePe numbers, into which I paid Rs 1 lakh 1 thousand. The PhonePe accounts showed Soumya Biswal and Laxmipriya Routray. They always communicated over WhatsApp. I have filed a complaint with the police, and I hope I will get justice,” she added.
An investigation has been initiated after the case was registered based on the complaint.
