Sambalpur: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into a multi-district job recruitment fraud on Wednesday, the Burla police in Sambalpur district have seized ₹13 lakh from one of the key supervisors, identified as Bhagyashree Mahananda of Charpali.
The accused had allegedly collected money from as many as 492 unsuspecting job seekers by promising them employment as sweepers under a fake agency named RMAX Pvt. Ltd.
According to the police, the racket operated across multiple districts including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Boudh, and Subarnapur, duping hundreds of people by offering fake employment in sweeping work at a daily wage of ₹400. Each aspirant was made to pay ₹12,000 as a so-called “appointment fee.”
The case was registered at Burla Police Station (Case No. 464 dated 23.10.2025) following a complaint lodged by Padma Lochan Gardia of Kardola village, Chipilima.
Acting on the complaint, police arrested Rahul alias Samrat Roy of Badbazar, Sambalpur, and Padmabati Tandi of Satupali village on October 23. Subsequently, Roy was taken on two-day police remand for further interrogation.
During the remand, Roy reportedly disclosed the names of 18 supervisors and agents involved in the fraudulent operation. All 18 individuals—13 men and 5 women—have been identified and interrogated by the police. Among them, supervisor Bhagyashree Mahananda was found to have collected ₹13 lakh from victims in the Sambalpur area.
The seized materials include cash amounting to ₹13 lakh, Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, and photographs of several job seekers.
Police have stated that further investigation is underway to trace the money trail and identify other possible victims and accomplices in the large-scale employment scam.
Also Read: Fake Sweeper Job Scam Busted In Sambalpur; Two Arrested, Rs 62 Lakh Seized
