Gosaninuagaon Police Arrest 61-Year-Old Job Scammer in Rs.16 Lakh Fraud Case
News Desk,Odishabarta
Berhampur: Gosaninuagaon Police have apprehended a 61-year-old man for allegedly cheating a Berhampur-based complainant and his wife of around ₹16 lakh on the false promise of securing government jobs. The accused allegedly used forged OSSSC merit lists to make the fraudulent job offers appear genuine.
The accused has been identified as Shyam Sundar Patra (61), son of Late Sarathi Patra of Gudipada, Gola Sahi, under Saranakula Police Station in Nayagarh district.
According to police, the case was registered at Gosaninuagaon Police Station as Case No. 161 dated 06.05.2026, under Sections 318(4), 296, 351(3), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 3(5) of the BNS.
The case was initiated following a written complaint lodged on May 6 by Priya Ranjan Patro (33) of Jaleswar Vihar, Berhampur.
The complainant alleged that the accused initially took Rs.1 lakh on April 19, 2023, claiming that the money was required for emergency medical expenses for a family member.
Subsequently, Patra allegedly promised to arrange government jobs for the complainant as a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) and for his wife, M. Roja Patro, as a Junior Assistant (JA). On the basis of these promises, he allegedly collected another ₹15 lakh through online NEFT transactions.
To lend credibility to the scheme, the accused allegedly supplied forged OSSSC merit list documents containing the names of the complainant, his wife and the accused’s sons.
When the promised jobs did not materialise and the complainant demanded repayment, the accused allegedly abused him in obscene language and threatened to abduct and kill him, police said.
During the investigation, police arrested Shyam Sundar Patra on June 18, 2026, at about 5.45 PM. Police said that during interrogation, the accused confessed to his involvement in the alleged offence.
Police seized a bank transaction receipt, forged OSSSC merit lists and stamped agreement documents as part of the investigation.
The accused is being forwarded to the Court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Berhampur, for judicial remand.
Police investigation has also revealed that Patra is allegedly a repeat offender and is already named in Odagaoan PS Case No. 379/2025, registered under Sections 318(4)/319(2)/335/336(3)/351(2)/351(3)/3(5) BNS.
Police Appeal to the Public
Brahmapur Police have appealed to job seekers and the general public to remain alert against fraudulent recruitment offers. Citizens have been advised:
Never pay money to anyone in exchange for a promised government or private job.
Do not believe claims of having personal connections with senior government officials, railway authorities or foreign companies.
Verify recruitment offers independently through official government websites, employment exchanges and authorised portals.
Report suspicious job offers immediately to the nearest police station or dial 112.
Police said they have already taken action against several gangs involved in job fraud, including those allegedly issuing fake government appointment letters, promising overseas employment and collecting lakhs of rupees from unsuspecting job aspirants.
Police stressed that awareness and verification are the best safeguards against such organised job scams.
