How Did Odisha Police Catch a Fraudster Who Duped a Rape Victim?
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Synopsis
In a shocking turn of events, the Odisha Police arrested a fraudster for duping a rape victim out of Rs 1.1 lakh. The accused misled the victim into believing they would facilitate her government-sanctioned compensation. This incident highlights the vulnerability of victims and the need for vigilance against fraud.
Key Takeaways
- Odisha Police arrested a fraudster for cheating a rape victim.
- The suspect misrepresented himself as a government official.
- The victim was entitled to Rs 3.75 lakh in compensation.
- Fraudsters often target vulnerable individuals.
- Victims should be vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Bhubaneswar, May 19 (NationPress) The Odisha Police apprehended a fraudster on Monday for allegedly cheating a rape victim out of Rs 1.1 lakh under the guise of assisting her in obtaining financial compensation from the government.
The suspect, Amiya Kumar Sahoo (45), a resident of Jagatsinghpur district, is currently located in the Balianta area of Bhubaneswar. Prior to this arrest, on Sunday, police in Cuttack apprehended his accomplice, Sangita Singh, who has since been presented in court for her role in the fraudulent scheme.
The victim filed a formal complaint at the Lalbag police station in Cuttack on May 17, alleging that Sangita Singh and others had swindled her out of Rs 1.1 lakh from her compensation amount of Rs 3.75 lakh, which had been approved by the Odisha government.
Upon receiving the complaint, the police registered a case and initiated an investigation into the claims. Their findings confirmed that the complainant was eligible for compensation as a victim of sexual violence, with the financial aid to be dispensed from the District Welfare Officer's office at the Collectorate in Cuttack.
Sahoo, who served as a Data Entry Operator and Office Assistant in that office, colluded with Singh and others to extort money from the victim's sanctioned compensation.
Singh works as a Physical Education Teacher at Janata Nodal Bidyapitha, located in Poda Diha, under the Begunia Block in Khordha.
According to a police official, “With a well-thought-out plan, Sahoo shared the victim's information with a criminal group. Singh, pretending to be a staff member from the Collectorate, contacted the victim in January, promising to expedite her compensation.”
Meanwhile, the victim received her compensation of Rs 3.75 lakh in her bank account in March 2025. Upon learning of this, Singh reached out to the victim on March 22, claiming they had facilitated an increase in her compensation and demanded Rs 1.1 lakh, threatening to withhold part of the sanctioned amount if she refused.
Feeling desperate, the victim complied and transferred the requested amount in three separate transactions to two different PhonePe accounts.
Once the victim confirmed that she had received the full compensation, she asked the fraudsters to return her money, but they did not comply. Eventually, she sought assistance from the police.
Point of View
I emphasize the importance of safeguarding victims and ensuring that fraudsters are held accountable for their crimes.
NationPress
09/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges were brought against the fraudster?
The fraudster was charged with cheating a rape victim out of Rs 1.1 lakh by falsely claiming to facilitate her government compensation.
How did the fraudster contact the victim?
The fraudster, posing as a staff member from the Collectorate, contacted the victim, promising to expedite her compensation.
What compensation was the victim entitled to?
The victim was entitled to a compensation amount of Rs 3.75 lakh sanctioned by the Odisha government.
What was the outcome of the police investigation?
The police investigation confirmed the fraud and led to the arrest of the main suspect and his accomplice.
What measures can victims take to protect themselves from fraud?
Victims should verify the identity of anyone claiming to assist them with compensation and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.
