Bhubaneswar: A government engineer has lodged a complaint with Airfield Police in Bhubaneswar, alleging that he was scammed by the impersonator claiming to be a senior official from the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
According to sources, the fraudster allegedly extorted Rs 2 lakh from Pratap Kumar Haripal, Superintending Engineer of the Road and Building Division in Angul.
In his complaint, he alleged that one Janaki Ballav Mohapatra contacted him a month ago and identified himself as a CMO official. The accused informed him about his transfer to Malkangiri and demanded Rs 2 lakh to halt the process. Disturbed, Haripal paid the amount at Mohapatra’s Bhimtangi residence in Bhubaneswar. Mohapatra then demanded an additional Rs 5 lakh, and upon Haripal’s refusal, allegedly abused and threatened to kill him.
Feeling trapped, Haripal lodged a formal complaint with the Airfield Police Station, seeking protection and justice.