EOW nabs another fraudster in land scam in Bhubaneswar

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhubaneswar arrested one fraudster in connection with a land scam. The accused, identified as Gour Prasad Mohanty of Khordha, has been nabbed from Puri district. Mohanty was arrested based on the complaint filed by one Swosti Ranjan Pani of Sailashree Vihar area in Bhubaneswar.

In his complaint, Pani had alleged that fraudsters contacted him to purchase a property at Baranga for an amount of Rs 2 crore which was registered in the name of one Rangalata Swain. After showing land patta, PAN, Aadhaar, residential certificate in the name of Rangalata Swain, the owner of the land, the accused tricked Pani into giving Rs 25 lakh as advance towards the purchase of the said land. But, subsequently, the fraudsters switched off their mobiles and vanished.

After inquiry, the complainant found that the fraudsters had impersonated the real owner Rangalata Swain, a 75 years old lady and duped him to the tune of Rs 25 lakh.

How The Scam Happened?

The accused Gour Prasad Mohanty prepared forged Aadhaar, PAN, Residential Certificate in the name of Rangalata Swain (real owner of plot) by affixing the photo of the impersonator Sabita Das on those documents.

A bank account in the name of Rangalata Swain was also opened by using the forged documents. But the account was managed by accused Sabita Das.

The complainant paid Rs 25 lakh in the account opened in the name of Rangalata Swain ( managed by impersonator Sabita Das) and the amount was subsequently withdrawn/transferred by Sabita Das and the amount was misappropriated by the fraudsters.

Out of Rs 25 lakh, an amount of Rs 10 lakh was transferred to the account of the arrested accused Gour Prasad Mohanty. Earlier, two fraudsters namely Sabita Das and Aditya Kumar Sahoo were arrested in this case.

“The gang could be involved in many other such cases which are being scrutinized and action would be initiated in all such cases,” said EOW.