College Admission Scam: Odisha Man Posed as Principal, Threatened Students and Stole Their Money

A 20-year-old man has been arrested in Odisha for allegedly posing as a college principal and cheating students and their parents by demanding money in the name of college admission.

The accused, identified as Pabitra Naik, a resident of Talapanga under Kashipur police limits in Rayagada district, was arrested by Attabira police on Sunday.

According to police, Naik allegedly contacted students and parents while pretending to be a college principal or clerk. He reportedly used UPI payment scanners to collect money and threatened students that their admission would be cancelled if the payments were not made immediately.

The case came to light after Premananda Singh of Kulunda approached the police. Singh told investigators that he received a call from an unknown mobile number on June 25. The caller claimed to be associated with Larambha College and told him that Rs 8,535 had to be paid through the principal's payment scanner to complete his son's admission.

Believing the caller, Singh allegedly made four UPI payments. Three transactions were for Rs 2,000 each, while another payment was for Rs 2,535. He later realised that he had been cheated and reported the matter to the police.

Following his complaint, Attabira police registered a case under Sections 318(3) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act, relating to identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources.

During the investigation, police allegedly discovered that Naik had worked as a marketing agent for an engineering college. His job reportedly took him to educational institutions across Odisha, where he allegedly collected mobile numbers of students and parents from databases.

Police said Naik procured 18 SIM cards in his name in June 2026. He allegedly used these numbers to contact students and parents, posing as college principals or clerical staff. After establishing contact, he would reportedly send UPI payment scanners and demand money, warning that admission would be cancelled if the amount was not transferred.

Investigators also found alleged links to similar cases in Bargarh district. Police said Naik allegedly cheated students Kedar Nath Rana of Patkulunda and Nitei Pal of Chinajuri of Rs 20,000 each in July by promising to facilitate college admissions.

Police seized 10 SIM cards, two mobile phones and three cheque books from Naik's possession.

The accused was produced before a court on Sunday as police continued their investigation into the alleged admission fraud and the possibility of other students being targeted through the same modus operandi.