BHUBANESWAR: The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested two persons for allegedly impersonating senior officials of the Home Department and taking Rs 1.47 crore from 38 candidates on the pretext of offering them jobs in the Odisha Police Department.
The accused have been identified as Baikunthnath Naik (32) and Bhimsen Maharana (63). While Naik is unemployed, Maharana had retired from the Higher Education Department as a senior grade recorder.
The EOW said 38 victims had appeared in the Combined Police Services examinations conducted by the police. Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) for the posts of Sub-Inspector, Sergeant and Deputy Subedar in 2013. Due to some court issues, the results were published in December 2016.
The accused spread rumors among many unsuccessful candidates that OSSC will release the second list of selected candidates. Without verification from the OSSC officials, these 38 victims approached the two fraudsters with the hope of getting a job in the state police.
Taking advantage of the desperation of unemployed youth, the accused introduced himself as a senior officer of the Home Department and assured a job. An Assistant Section Officer (ASO), named Baikunthnath Naik, actually works in the Home Department. The accused Naik disguised as Home Officer and forged a fake identity card in his name,” said an EOW official.
38 job aspirants paid approx Rs 1.47 crore through cash and account transfer to the accused during May-November 2020.
After realizing that they had been duped, the victims made several unsuccessful attempts to get their refund. Recently he had lodged a complaint with EOW.
“During the search of Naik’s house, several incriminating documents including 12 ATM cards as well as a fake ID card of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) of the Home Department have been seized. All bank accounts have been frozen,” the official said.
The EOW will investigate whether any OSSC employee had colluded with the thugs in the scam.
It is to be noted that the credibility of OSSC, which conducts examinations for Group-B and C posts of various government departments, was under attack after the arrest of former private secretary of commission member Biranchi Narayan Sahu in July last year. Allegedly for possessing huge disproportionate assets.
Vigilance had seized several recruitment related documents including admit cards of some applicants for government jobs.
The accused have been identified as Baikunthnath Naik (32) and Bhimsen Maharana (63). While Naik is unemployed, Maharana had retired from the Higher Education Department as a senior grade recorder.
The EOW said 38 victims had appeared in the Combined Police Services examinations conducted by the police. Odisha Staff Selection Commission (OSSC) for the posts of Sub-Inspector, Sergeant and Deputy Subedar in 2013. Due to some court issues, the results were published in December 2016.
The accused spread rumors among many unsuccessful candidates that OSSC will release the second list of selected candidates. Without verification from the OSSC officials, these 38 victims approached the two fraudsters with the hope of getting a job in the state police.
Taking advantage of the desperation of unemployed youth, the accused introduced himself as a senior officer of the Home Department and assured a job. An Assistant Section Officer (ASO), named Baikunthnath Naik, actually works in the Home Department. The accused Naik disguised as Home Officer and forged a fake identity card in his name,” said an EOW official.
38 job aspirants paid approx Rs 1.47 crore through cash and account transfer to the accused during May-November 2020.
After realizing that they had been duped, the victims made several unsuccessful attempts to get their refund. Recently he had lodged a complaint with EOW.
“During the search of Naik’s house, several incriminating documents including 12 ATM cards as well as a fake ID card of Assistant Section Officer (ASO) of the Home Department have been seized. All bank accounts have been frozen,” the official said.
The EOW will investigate whether any OSSC employee had colluded with the thugs in the scam.
It is to be noted that the credibility of OSSC, which conducts examinations for Group-B and C posts of various government departments, was under attack after the arrest of former private secretary of commission member Biranchi Narayan Sahu in July last year. Allegedly for possessing huge disproportionate assets.
Vigilance had seized several recruitment related documents including admit cards of some applicants for government jobs.
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