In a heartbreaking incident highlighting the devastating human impact of cyber financial crimes, a 33-year-old man from Nayagada district lost his life after falling victim to online scammers.
The deceased has been identified as Susanta Maharana, a resident of Badasahi under Baigunia Panchayat in Bhapur Block. Sushanta worked as a painter and daily-wage laborer to support his family.
According to family members and local sources, Susanta fell ill suddenly while at his residence on Wednesday. He was initially rushed to the Khandapada Community Health Centre (CHC). Upon realizing he had ingested poison, medical authorities referred him to the District Headquarters Hospital. As his condition continued to deteriorate rapidly, his family transferred him to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, where doctors declared him dead around 9 PM during treatment.
Following an autopsy at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar on Thursday morning, the body was handed over to his grieving family. His final rites were conducted at his native village amid a solemn and tearful atmosphere.
The tragic backstory emerged following his demise. Reports indicate that Susanta was lured by cyber fraudsters with the promise of receiving a prize sum of ₹25 lakh. Gullible and trusting, Susanta managed to borrow money from various sources, transferring a total of ₹2.06 lakh in installments to the scammers.
Realizing later that he had been cheated and facing the immense pressure of unpaid loans alongside the fear of societal stigma, Susanta took the extreme step. Local residents and family members suspect severe mental agony and financial distress drove him to suicide.
Police are investigating the matter as concerns continue to rise over targeted cyber fraud in rural areas.
