Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police on Sunday, 20 July arrested two persons — including a woman — for allegedly defrauding a city-based couple of approximately ₹89.33 lakh through a fraudulent online dollar trading scheme that promised returns of up to ₹1.30 crore within six months. The case was registered at Nayapalli police station under case number 381/26.

Who Was Arrested

The accused have been identified as Nilima Satpathy (41), a resident of the Bharatpur area in Bhubaneswar, and Manoj Kumar Satpathy (43), from the Koeri area of Jajpur district. Police said both reportedly admitted to their involvement in the alleged fraud following their arrest.

How the Scam Unfolded

The complainant, Samarjit Baliarsingh, and his wife, Sonakshi Lenka, had known the accused Nilima Satpathy since 2009. Exploiting that long-standing trust, the accused allegedly persuaded the couple to invest in what was presented as a legitimate online dollar trading business between February and July 2025.

According to police, the couple invested a total of ₹97,28,700 across multiple instalments, lured by assurances of substantial profits. To establish credibility, the accused initially returned ₹7,95,000 — a common tactic in investment fraud to sustain the victim's confidence before the scheme collapses.

Fake Documents and Threats

When the couple sought the return of the remaining ₹89,33,700, the accused allegedly stalled by citing banking issues and sending fabricated digital documents and fake screenshots to create the impression that fund transfers were underway. The situation reportedly escalated when the accused allegedly abused and threatened both Baliarsingh and his wife upon persistent demands for repayment.

Evidence Seized

During the investigation, police seized a range of documentary and electronic evidence, including bank statements, WhatsApp chats, an affidavit executed by Nilima Satpathy, a written settlement agreement, and six post-dated HDFC Bank cheques. The Commissionerate Police stated that this evidence, combined with the statements of the complainant and his wife, prima facie established that substantial financial transactions had taken place and that the accused had committed to repaying the outstanding amount.

What Happens Next

Both accused are currently in custody. This case is part of a broader pattern of investment fraud targeting middle-class families in Odisha, where trust-based relationships are weaponised to bypass financial caution. Investigators are expected to probe whether the accused operated as part of a wider network or acted independently. The couple faces the prospect of a prolonged legal process to recover their funds.