- Odisha Police have apprehended two for orchestrating an elaborate scheme wherein they posed as ED officers to extort money from government officials.
- According to police reports, the duo, burdened with substantial debt and unable to meet their financial obligations, devised a plan to defraud government employees.
- Through a combination of threats and coercion, they managed to extort funds totalling more than Rs 16 lakh from some of these officials.
- Upon their arrest, authorities seized incriminating evidence, including electronic devices, fake identification cards, and multiple bank-related documents.
- The brothers meticulously crafted a facade of authenticity, utilizing fake documents, letterheads, and logos to perpetuate their scam.
Odisha Police have apprehended two brothers in Dhenkanal district for orchestrating an elaborate scheme wherein they posed as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers to extort money from government officials. The arrests come following a concerted effort by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police, culminating in the apprehension of Tarinisen Mohapatra (30) and Brahma Shankar Mohapatra (27) from their residence in Dhenkanal town.
According to police reports, the duo, burdened with substantial debt and unable to meet their financial obligations, devised a plan to defraud government employees. Posing as an “Additional Director of ED Bhubaneswar,” they contacted approximately 300 officers from various government departments across the state. Through a combination of threats and coercion, they managed to extort funds totaling more than Rs 16 lakh from some of these officials.
Operating under the guise of ED officials, the brothers employed sophisticated tactics, including the issuance of fake “clearance letters” exonerating the targeted officials from purported charges. Their activities came to the attention of law enforcement following a complaint lodged by Chhatrapur sub-collector Debadatta Mohanta.
Upon their arrest, authorities seized incriminating evidence, including electronic devices, fake identification cards, and multiple bank-related documents. The duo’s modus operandi involved leveraging their technological prowess and fluency in English to instill fear in their victims, threatening them with economic offense charges if they failed to comply with their demands.
The brothers meticulously crafted a facade of authenticity, utilizing fake documents, letterheads, and logos to perpetuate their scam. Leveraging digital communication platforms such as WhatsApp, they assumed the identity of “Sanjaya Mishra, Additional Director, Enforcement Directorate,” and engaged in coercive communication with government officials.
Their demands for money were underpinned by the false narrative of impending investigations and raids by the Enforcement Directorate, exploiting the heightened media coverage surrounding ED operations. Government officials were coerced into making payments through digital money payment wallets, with the STF tracing transactions exceeding Rs 16 lakh.
The investigation has revealed the possibility of the brothers extending their fraudulent activities to officials in the Jharkhand government, given their residency in Ranchi. Efforts are underway to ascertain the full extent of their operations and any potential victims in Jharkhand.
As the case unfolds, it underscores the importance of vigilance and stringent measures to combat fraudulent schemes targeting public servants. The arrests serve as a stark reminder of the pervasive threat posed by cybercrime and the need for enhanced cybersecurity protocols to safeguard against such nefarious activities.
(With inputs from agencies)
