Odisha MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati Falls Victim to Cyber Fraud, Loses ₹2.5 Lakh

Bhubaneswar: Senior Congress leader and Odisha MLA, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, fell victim to a cyber scam, losing Rs 2.5 lakh. The fraudsters had promised to facilitate a cement dealership for his brother.

The Jeypore MLA urged people to remain vigilant against cybercrimes and not to get misled by their lucrative proposals.

Bahinipati recounted receiving a phone call from an unknown individual who claimed to arrange a cement dealership for his family, requiring a deposit of Rs 4 lakh. Comparatively, other companies were asking for Rs 10 lakh. The MLA was instructed to transfer the money to a specified bank account. However, the scam took a turn when he received an OTP on his phone, which he shared with the caller. Subsequently, Rs 4 lakh was withdrawn from his account, but the promised dealership never materialized.

A formal complaint was filed with the Cyber Police in Koraput, initiating an investigation that led to the arrest of three individuals in Bihar. Rs 1.5 lakh was recovered during the operation.

Bahinipati emphasized the importance of caution when receiving calls from unknown numbers. He urged everyone not to disclose bank account details or other personal information to unfamiliar individuals to prevent similar incidents. Stay vigilant and safeguard your financial well-being.