By Itishree Sethy
Copyright pragativadi
The accused, Naresh Barik alias Butu, from Pragati Vihar in Chandrasekharpur, promised a job for the victim’s son in NALCO using forged documents and false claims.
According to the complaint filed by Sarbeswar Samal, Barik initially introduced himself as a dealer for Reliance and NALCO before claiming to be an AGM at the public sector company. With the help of an associate named Dillip Bhatta, Barik convinced Samal to pay Rs 18 lakh through various channels including PhonePe, Google Pay, bank transfers, and cash.
In return, Barik handed over fake appointment letters, ID cards, gate passes, and medical fitness certificates—all bearing NALCO’s branding. The scam unraveled when Samal’s son reported to NALCO’s office on March 19, 2025, only to be informed that the documents were fraudulent.
Police registered the case under IPC Sections 419, 420, 468, and 34. During the investigation, authorities seized forged documents, two Rs 5 lakh cheques, bank transaction records, and e-wallet statements. Barik was arrested on Monday and produced in court. Efforts are underway to trace co-accused Dillip Bhatta and identify other potential victims.
This incident highlights the growing threat of employment scams and the need for vigilance when dealing with unofficial job offers.
