Digital frauds spreading in tribal hamlet, innocent tribals duped

Of late, digital fraud has raised its ugly head across the state with fraudsters using increasingly innovative methods to swindle people. Chapalah village under Nilagiri block in Balasore district has witnessed a rise in such cases in which criminals duped innocent tribals into sharing their OTP with them. 

Fraudsters some time in disguise of bank officials loot money from the bank accounts or sometimes they with the help of some apps dupe innocent individuals. Fraudsters devise new ways to dupe unsuspecting individuals into disclosing sensitive information and stealing their hard-earned money.

According to sources, two youths identified themselves as government officials, lured innocent tribal people of the locality by telling them the state government had sent them to disburse installments under KALIA scheme. 

Initially, they even distributed Rs 2,000 each to win villagers’ confidence. After taking them to their confidence, the youths successfully got biometric chips and account details of the depositors without difficulties. 

Hira Murmu, one of the victims, said, “I had saved Rs 19,470 in my account. The duo managed to avail my account details and biometric chips. Now I don’t have a single penny with me.” 

Dule Majhi and Ghanasyama have also been duped by the youths in the same way. Meanwhile, victims have lodged a police complaint with the help of the local sarpanch after the matter came to the fore.