Online scamsters target rape survivor in Cuttack; Rs 1 Lakh duped on pretext of compensation assistance

In a distressing case of financial fraud, a rape survivor has allegedly fallen victim to an online scam where she was duped of Rs 1 lakh by a woman posing as a government officials. The incident has been formally reported at the Lalbag Police Station in Cuttack.

According to the complaint filed by the victim, she had recently received a compensation amount of Rs 3.75 lakh from the Odisha government under the victim compensation scheme for survivors of sexual violence. The funds were meant to support her recovery and rehabilitation.

However, shortly after receiving the amount, the survivor was approached by a woman claiming to work at the office of the District Collector, Cuttack. 

The woman assured the victim that she would expedite the compensation process and ensure smooth disbursement of the remaining or full funds. Under the guise of assisting her, the accused allegedly demanded a bribe, citing official formalities and processing requirements.

The victim stated that the woman threatened her, saying that if the demanded amount was not paid, the sanctioned compensation could be withheld or even reversed. Fearful of losing the crucial financial aid, the survivor ended up transferring money on three separate occasions, amounting to a total of Rs 1 lakh.

Realizing later that she had been deceived, the victim collected all available evidence, including transaction details and communication records, and lodged a formal complaint with the Lalbag Police. The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the matter.

This incident has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of survivors of sexual violence, who not only endure emotional and physical trauma but also become easy targets for fraudsters. It also underscores the urgent need for secure, transparent, and victim-friendly mechanisms for compensation disbursement.

Sasmita Das, state president, State Human Rights Council said, “A financial assistance was provided to the survivor by Odisha government in the month of March. She was asked to deposit Rs 1 lakh in two accounts. As the fraudsters claimed to be the officials of the district Collectorate, we are demanding a detailed investigation as they were aware of the timing of the disbursement of the financial assistance.” 

Authorities have assured that the matter will be investigated thoroughly and those responsible for exploiting the victim will be brought to justice. Meanwhile, police have urged the public, especially beneficiaries of government aid, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious demands or threats to the nearest police station immediately.