SAMBALPUR: In a major breakthrough, Sambalpur police on Thursday claimed to have unearthed a large job fraud racket that deceived around 2,000 people across four districts of Odisha, swindling nearly ₹2 crore by offering fake sanitation jobs in a non-existent company.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Mukesh Bhamoo informed that two accused, identified as Samrat Ray (32) of Badabazaar and Padmalaya Tandi (34) of Chiplima, were arrested for their involvement in the scam. The duo, along with another associate based in Bhubaneswar, had set up a fake company named RMAX Private Limited, which they falsely claimed was authorised to recruit sanitation workers for the Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC).
Widespread operation under keyphrase: Odisha job fraud racket
The accused reportedly conducted meetings across multiple districts including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Boudh, and Sonepur, convincing unemployed youth to deposit ₹12,000 each as a registration and recruitment fee. They lured victims by promising jobs offering a daily wage of ₹400 under the false pretext of employment with SMC. When candidates later demanded appointment letters or official documents, the accused began making excuses, which eventually raised doubts among the victims. On verification, SMC officials confirmed that RMAX Private Limited had no official association with the civic body.
Police uncover massive deception by fake recruitment agents
Following a complaint filed by Padma Lochan Gardia (35) of Chiplima in Burla, police launched an extensive investigation. Raids were conducted at several locations, leading to the arrest of the two prime accused on Wednesday. During the operation, police recovered ₹62.01 lakh in cash, a mini-van, a car, and several incriminating documents including Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, and paperwork belonging to the victims. The seized items have provided critical evidence in exposing the scope of the scam, which spanned multiple districts and targeted vulnerable job seekers from rural regions.
Investigations continue into Odisha job fraud racket
SP Mukesh Bhamoo explained that the accused mainly targeted rural areas, forming small community groups to gain the trust of villagers. To appear genuine, the fraudsters initially assigned minor work and even paid small wages to early participants, thereby convincing others to join and deposit money. After building credibility, they encouraged victims to bring in more people, which helped them expand their fraudulent network. “All transactions were done in cash, leaving no financial trail. We have recovered substantial evidence, but further investigation is underway to trace the total money collected and identify other members, including the Bhubaneswar-based suspect,” Bhamoo added.
Police stress vigilance and public awareness against job frauds
The case highlights the growing number of employment-related scams targeting unemployed youth in rural and semi-urban areas. Police have urged the public to verify all job offers, particularly those demanding money upfront, and to report suspicious activities immediately. Authorities also assured that efforts are ongoing to refund victims and bring every individual involved in the racket to justice. The arrests mark a significant step toward curbing fraudulent employment practices in Odisha and protecting job seekers from exploitation.
(The content is sourced from agencies and has not been edited by mtimes.co.in.)
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