Odisha beauticians’ dream to visit Maldives shattered after Rs 22 lakh fraud

As many as 36 beauticians from different parts of the state were duped to the tune of Rs 22 lakhs on the pretext of an educational and vacation trip to the Maldives. 

As per the allegations, a person named Sitakant Mohapatra had collected money amounting to Rs 22 lakhs from the beauticians to provide them tickets to the Maldives. He reportedly deposited half of the total ticket cost with the tour operator and didn’t deposit the rest of the money. As a result, their tickets were cancelled. When they came to know that their tickets had been cancelled, they took no time to understand that they had been duped. 

The duped beauticians from areas like Deogarh, and Rourkela assembled in Bhubaneswar and went to Lingraj Police Station to lodge their complaint against Mohapatra but their complaint was not entertained there. They said all their efforts to meet the Police Commissioner also failed. 

“We are a group of 36 beauticians. Sitakant Mohaptra had taken money from us on the pretext of taking us on a trip to the Maldives. As per the schedule, we were to leave for Maldives today morning. Upon reaching here, we learned that our tickets have been cancelled,” alleged Julie Satpathy, a victim.

Echoing the same, another victim Baishali Mohapatra said, “We contacted the travel agency. They said he (Sitakanta Mohapatra) is a habitual offender and is yet to pay them an outstanding money over Rs 1 crore.  This is his modus operandi to book tickets and at the last moment he doesn’t clear payments.”

However, no comments could be obtained from the police and Mohapatra.