Odisha Man Arrested: Posed as Minister Nitin Nabin’s PA, Duped Temple Staffer of ₹10,000 Through QR Code Scam

Raipur

The Khamardih Police under the Raipur Police Commissionerate arrested a 35-year-old man from Odisha for allegedly cheating a staff member of the Jagannath Temple by impersonating the personal assistant (PA) of BJP leader and minister Nitin Nabin. The accused has been identified as Sahadev Malik, a resident of Puri district in Odisha.

According to police, the complainant received a phone call on May 24 at around 8:24 PM from an unidentified person claiming to be Minister Nitin Nabin’s PA and seeking urgent financial assistance. Shortly afterward, the victim received a QR Code from another mobile number and transferred ₹10,000 through PhonePe to an account named “Kamini Behera.”

Investigators said the caller continued demanding more money, which raised suspicion. After discussing the matter with acquaintances, the complainant realized he had likely been cheated and lodged a complaint at Khamardih Police Station.

Police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). On the instructions of the DCP (North Zone), a joint team from Khamardih and Pandri police stations launched an investigation.

Using technical surveillance and digital evidence, the police traced the accused to Puri district in Odisha. He was arrested and brought to Raipur, where he was produced before a local court.