Fake CBI officials loot elderly couple in broad daylight in Odisha

Berhampur: An elderly couple was conned by three persons impersonating as CBI officers in Southern Odisha town of Berhampur today.

The conmen looted gold jewellery weighing around 80 grams while the victim couple – Bhaskar Patra and Rajkumari Patra – was walking down a lane near Jayprakash Nagar Square in the Silk City.

The bike-borne youths intercepted the couple, introduced the latter as personnel of the central investigating agency and also showed them identity cards.

Before the couple could register anything, the anti-socials asked them to remove all the jewellery as they could fall victim to looters who are targeting people the next square. The criminals hurried them so that the naïve couple falls into their trap. While the couple put the valuables in an envelope, the trio managed to exchange another envelope having stones and fled the spot.

The elderly woman raised an alarm, but to no avail.

“I was wearing two-three necklaces, ear rings and other jewellery. My husband was also wearing gold chain and rings. They introduced themselves as CBI officers and looted us,” victim Rajkumari Patra said.

The couple from Pokhariput area in Bhubaneswar had gone to the business capital of Odisha to participate in a marriage ceremony.

“I was in my shop when I heard someone shouting for help. When I rushed to the spot, the couple narrated their ordeal,” said Tukuna Sahu, an eyewitness.

Meanwhile, police have launched a search operation to nab the criminals.

“We have formed two teams to probe into the matter. Vehicles are being frisked and all the roadside police stations have been alerted. We have launched a manhunt to nab the criminals,” said Jaykrushna Patnaik, Baidyanathpur Police Station IIC.

While CCTV pictures have been secured by the police, they are yet to make any headway in the case.