Subhadra Yojana beneficiaries being targeted by cyber fraudsters in Odisha

Cyber fraudsters are targeting Subhadra Yojana beneficiaries, emptying their bank accounts under the guise of linking Aadhaar and mobile numbers.

In an alarming case, multiple incidents came to light recently where funds meant for housing schemes were siphoned off after luring victims with the promise of linking Aadhaar for monetary benefits under the Subhadra Yojana. 

Incidentally, a majority of such complaints have surfaced from Banspal Block in Keonjhar district, leaving several beneficiaries in the lurch.

One such victim, Gelty Sanangi from Benidihi village under Tana Panchayat had received Rs 50,000 under the housing scheme to construct the roof of her house. However, when she visited the bank to withdraw the funds, she discovered her account had been emptied.

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According to her complaint, on October 2, Sanangi visited a Jana Seva digital service center to apply for the Subhadra scheme and provided her biometrics.  However, her mobile number had not been linked. It was now discovered that between October 7 and October 11, Rs 10,000 was withdrawn daily from her account, amounting to Rs 50,000.

“They told me that your Aadhar and mobile number are not linked and asked me to do the same by visiting a digital service center at either Telkoi or Katarapali. Since there was no attendant at Katrapali, I visited the center at Telkoi and registered my four or five fingerprints. I am not an educated person so I did not know what they were actually doing,” stated Gelty Sanangi.

Another victim, Ranjita Pradhan from Tentulikhunti village in Karangadihi Panchayat, reported a similar incident. She alleged that Rs 50,000 was siphoned off from her account after linking her mobile number and Aadhaar at a public service center for the Subhadra Yojana.

“I updated my Aadhaar on the 1st of the month and the beneficiary amount was credited the very next day. However, since the 4th of the month, money started getting debited automatically from my account,” Pradhan narrated her ordeal.

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As of now, it remains unclear how such fraudulent activities were carried out, and investigations are underway.