Bhubaneswar Police arrest job fraud accused who duped aspirants of ₹43 lakh
Synopsis
A Bhubaneswar man collected over ₹43 lakh from job-hungry victims over two years by dangling fake placements — including under a flagship government scheme — before threatening them when they demanded refunds. The case exposes how online job ads on mainstream search platforms are being weaponised to exploit unemployment in Odisha.
Key Takeaways
Debasish Das , 36 , was arrested by Badagada Police in Bhubaneswar on 16 June for allegedly defrauding job seekers.
Victims deposited a total of ₹43,33,000 in instalments into bank accounts shared via WhatsApp .
The fraud began in 2023 after victims responded to a job advertisement on Google .
Accused promised placements in private firms and under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana .
Co-accused Jyotiranjan Paikray remains absconding; police say efforts to arrest him are ongoing.
Das has been remanded to judicial custody following production before a court.
Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police on Monday, 16 June arrested a man accused of defrauding multiple job seekers of over ₹43 lakh by falsely promising employment in private companies and under government schemes. The arrest follows a complaint registered on 14 June by a victim from Ganjam district.
Who Was Arrested
The accused, Debasish Das, 36, is originally from Govindpur under Dhamnagar police limits in Bhadrak district, but was residing at Kesura under the Badagada police station area of Bhubaneswar at the time of his arrest. He was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. A second accused, Jyotiranjan Paikray, remains at large, and police say efforts are under way to trace him.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to the complaint filed by one S. Kahna Achari of Ganjam district, the fraud began in 2023 when Achari came across a job-related advertisement on Google. He contacted Das through the phone number listed in the advertisement, and Das assured him of placement in private companies as well as under government initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana.
Achari subsequently introduced several friends who were also seeking employment. Das and Paikray met the group and, through repeated assurances, won their confidence. The victims then deposited a cumulative ₹43,33,000 in instalments into bank accounts shared by the accused via WhatsApp.
Two Years of Broken Promises
Despite waiting for over two years, none of the complainants received a job offer or a refund. When they confronted the accused and demanded either the promised employment or their money back, the accused allegedly refused to return the funds. According to the complaint, the fraudsters also reportedly abused the victims in obscene language and threatened them with dire consequences if they persisted in their demands.
Police Action and What Comes Next
With no resolution in sight, the victims approached the Badagada Police, which registered a case on 14 June and moved swiftly to apprehend Das from the Kesura area. This case highlights a broader pattern of online job fraud in Odisha, where fake advertisements on search platforms are used to lure unemployed youth. Police sources confirmed that the hunt for the absconding co-accused Paikray is ongoing, and further arrests are anticipated.
Point of View
A government scheme name dropped for credibility, WhatsApp bank transfers in instalments, and threats when victims push back. What makes it notable is the scale: ₹43 lakh extracted over two years from a group of ordinary job seekers from Ganjam, one of Odisha's most economically vulnerable districts. The invocation of Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana — a scheme designed to support artisans and craftspeople — as bait suggests fraudsters are deliberately exploiting scheme awareness campaigns. Until platforms are held accountable for fraudulent job listings and digital payment trails are pursued more aggressively, arrests like this one will remain reactive rather than preventive.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Bhubaneswar job fraud case?
Debasish Das, 36, a resident of Govindpur in Bhadrak district who was staying in the Kesura area of Bhubaneswar, was arrested by Badagada Police on 16 June. He is accused of cheating multiple job seekers of over ₹43 lakh by promising fake employment.
How much money did the accused allegedly cheat from victims?
The accused allegedly collected a total of ₹43,33,000 from the victims, deposited in instalments into bank accounts shared via WhatsApp over a period of more than two years beginning in 2023.
What was the method used to carry out the fraud?
The accused placed a job-related advertisement on Google and, after victims made contact, assured them of placements in private companies and under government schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana. Once trust was established, victims were asked to deposit money in instalments.
Is there a second accused in the case?
Yes. Jyotiranjan Paikray, who was introduced to the victims by Das and jointly won their confidence, is named as a co-accused. He is currently absconding, and police say efforts are under way to arrest him.
What action has the court taken against Debasish Das?
After his arrest on 16 June, Debasish Das was produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, with police pursuing the absconding co-accused.
