Odisha Man Arrested for College Admission Fraud in Bargarh
Bargarh police arrested a 20-year-old Rayagada man for duping students by posing as college principals to extort admission fees.
Attabira police in Bargarh district arrested a 20-year-old man from Rayagada district on Sunday for allegedly duping students and parents by posing as college principals and extorting money for admissions, officials said. Pabitra Naik of Talapanga village under Kashipur police limits was apprehended after a complaint from Premananda Singh of Kulunda, who lost Rs 8,535 in June to a caller claiming affiliation with Larambha College. Police said Naik, a marketing agent for an engineering college, used 18 SIM cards to contact victims across Odisha, threatening admission cancellation if payments weren't made through provided UPI scanners.
How did the fraud operate?
According to police, Singh received a call on June 25 from an unknown number. The caller claimed association with Larambha College and said Rs 8,535 must be paid through the principal's payment scanner or his son's admission would not be completed. Believing the caller, Singh made four UPI payments — three of Rs 2,000 each and one of Rs 2,535. He later realised he had been cheated and approached police.
What charges were filed?
Based on Singh's complaint, Attabira police registered a case under sections 318(3) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act. During investigation, police found Naik had worked as a marketing agent for an engineering college and travelled to educational institutions across Odisha, collecting mobile numbers of students and parents from databases.
How many victims were identified?
In June 2026, Naik allegedly procured 18 SIM cards in his name and used them to contact students, posing as college principals or clerks. He would send payment scanner links and threaten that admission would be cancelled if money was not transferred. Police said Naik had allegedly cheated several students in Bargarh district using the same method in July. Two identified victims — Kedar Nath Rana of Patkulunda and Nitei Pal of Chinajuri — were each cheated of Rs 20,000 on the pretext of college admission during that period.
What evidence was recovered?
Police seized 10 SIM cards, two mobile phones and three cheque books from Naik's possession. The accused was produced in court on Sunday.
Related Coverage
Who was arrested for the college admission fraud in Bargarh?
Pabitra Naik, a 20-year-old man from Talapanga village under Kashipur police limits in Rayagada district, was arrested by Attabira police.
How much money was extorted from the first complainant?
Premananda Singh of Kulunda lost Rs 8,535 through four UPI transactions — three of Rs 2,000 each and one of Rs 2,535.
What legal sections were invoked in the case?
Sections 318(3) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act.
How did the accused obtain contact details of students and parents?
Naik worked as a marketing agent for an engineering college and travelled to educational institutions across Odisha, collecting mobile numbers from databases.
How many other victims have been identified in Bargarh district?
Two identified victims — Kedar Nath Rana of Patkulunda and Nitei Pal of Chinajuri — were each cheated of Rs 20,000 in July 2026.
What evidence was seized from the accused?
Police seized 10 SIM cards, two mobile phones and three cheque books from Naik's possession.
When was the arrest made and when did the fraud occur?
The arrest was made on Sunday, August 23, 2026. The fraud occurred in June and July 2026.
What was the accused's modus operandi?
Naik procured 18 SIM cards in June 2026, posed as college principals or clerks, sent payment scanner links, and threatened admission cancellation if money wasn't transferred.
Snehalata Bariha
District Correspondent, Bargarh
Snehalata Bariha covers Bargarh's paddy-belt agriculture, farmer welfare schemes, and the Dhanuyatra festival beat from her base in Bargarh town.
View all articles by Snehalata →
Loading…