Bhubaneswar: The Special Task Force (STF) today apprehended a man from Puri district for trying to extort Rs 1 crore from an additional Chief Engineer by posing as Vigilance SP.
The arrested accused has been identified as Manoj Majhi, of Phulbari village within Krushnaprasad police station in Puri district. Many fake IDs have been seized from him and he has been forwarded to the court today, the police said.
According to information from STF, Majhi has demanded Rs 1 crore from the additional Chief Engineer, by introducing himself as an SP in Vigilance.
After a complaint was lodge, STF registered a case and started investigation. The accused was arrested from his native place after it was found that he was trying to commit fraud by using fake identity.
Similarly, the accused used to call senior officials like Managing Director of Mining Corporation, Head of Works Division, PD DRDA Khurda by introducing themselves as a Vigilance SP. When the STF started questioning, many facts came to the fore. He has repeatedly changed his identity and committed fraud and his targets were mostly builders and high-ranking government officials.
On the phone, he introduces himself as a senior official of Vigilance and abuses the victim. Later, he demands money from the government officials.
Moreover, the accused have collected lakhs of rupees from various people on the pretext of getting them engaged in government jobs. So far, the STF has found evidence that it has cheated Rs 15 lakh by on the pretext of providing jobs. The STF has said that this number may increase further.
Investigation further revealed that 4 to 5 other people helped him in this racket. They will also be brought under the purview of investigation, the STF said adding that the accused will be brought on remand if necessary.
