Odisha fraudster 'dupes' several businessmen of Rs 200 crore over EV dealership

A youth from Odisha allegedly duped more than 20 businessmen across the country to the tune of Rs 200 crore by luring them to provide franchises for electric vehicle showrooms.

Allegations have been brought against one Prabhat Kumar Nahak from Koraput district.

As per the allegations, Nahak, impersonating an official of different electric vehicle brands, convinced several businessmen from Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to provide them franchises for selling the products. Nahak then allegedly asked them to deposit some amount into an account towards dealer registration charges.

However, no dealerships were allegedly awarded even after three years of the transfer of the money. The businessmen could neither get electric vehicles for sale nor could they get back their money. Then they realised that they had been duped.

Subsequently, the helpless businessmen lodged a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

“I have been duped to the tune of Rs 30 lakh by the conman from Odisha. I had transferred the payment to him in September 2021. However, I have not got the electric vehicles yet,” alleged Lokesh Bhandari, a businessman from Uttar Pradesh.  

“We have lodged the complaint with the Economic Offences Wing in Bhubaneswar and are hopeful that the fraudster will be arrested and we will get back our money,” he said. 

No comments could be obtained from Prabhat Kumar Nahak or any official of EOW over the allegations.