Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: The Commissionerate Police has apprehended an individual involved in fraudulent activities, exploiting unsuspecting individuals through deceptive promises of rental accommodations, particularly via misleading advertisements in newspapers and on the OLX platform.

The arrested individual, identified as 37-year-old Dhirendra Kumar Jena from Sahaspur under the jurisdiction of Jajpur Sadar police, had in his possession 8 SIM cards from various network providers, two passbooks from different banks, one chequebook, two ATM cards, and an identity proof, according to statements provided by the police.

The arrest followed a complaint filed by Suraj Xess of Gandasrirampur in Badagada, who reported a fraudulent transaction amounting to Rs. 27,500 while attempting to secure a rental room through an OLX listing.

Upon thorough investigation, it was unveiled that the accused, in collaboration with associates, disseminated false advertisements in both print and online mediums, offering rental rooms through the OLX platform. Prospective tenants, upon reaching out, were presented with manipulated photos and videos of purportedly available rooms. The victims were coerced into making advance payments to promptly secure the accommodation, under the threat that the room would be allocated to other applicants.

Further inquiry exposed that Jena and his associates had orchestrated a series of OLX-related frauds, victimizing several residents of Bhubaneswar.

Do’s & Don’ts

1. Please verify the authenticity of the website you are searching for house rent.

2. Please deposit money after verifying the house & house owner physically.

3. Do not transact money to any unknown account.

4. Don’t trust the middlemen or unknown agents to search for a house on rent.

5.  Dial 1930 or visit www.cybercrime.gov.in to register any cyber crime.

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