In a case of employment fraud, Bargarh police have arrested a couple for allegedly cheating a man of Rs6.5 lakh under the pretense of securing him a clerical job in the Roads and Buildings (R&B) division in Sambalpur district.
The accused, Makardhwaja Bhoi (47) and his wife Kuntala Bhoi (43), residents of Dumalpali village, were taken into custody following a complaint by Kangali Charan Behera, a native of Dasamanapatana in Dhenkanal district.
According to the police, the couple convinced Behera that they had strong connections within the R&B department and could secure a government clerical position for him in exchange for money. Behera paid them Rs6.5 lakh over a period of time, hoping to secure the job.
However, when no job materialized and the couple began avoiding him, he reported the matter to the authorities.
During the arrest, police seized:
Rs9,080 in cash
Several bank passbooks
A mobile phone allegedly used in the fraud
Police officials stated that further investigation is ongoing to determine if the couple is linked to other similar scams in the region. Their previous involvement in fraud cases is now under scrutiny.
Authorities have urged the public to be cautious of job offers requiring upfront payments, especially those claiming connections to government departments.
