Dentist loses money to fake broker while seeking accommodation in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Dec 7: A dentist searching for rental accommodation in Bhubaneswar was reportedly defrauded of a significant sum of money by a man impersonating a broker.

The victim, Jyoti Prakash Sahu, recently arrived in Bhubaneswar to begin an internship at a private hospital after completing his dental studies in Delhi. Hailing from Jajpur district, Sahu was actively looking for a place to rent when he spotted a "to-let" sign on the roadside.

Upon calling the number listed on the poster, Sahu met with the individual, who claimed to be a real estate broker. The man requested a two-month advance rent as a processing fee to secure the rental property.

According to Sahu, who subsequently filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Infocity Police Station, he paid the two-month rent via PhonePe, following the accused's instructions. However, he was unable to take possession of the rental property, and the money he paid was not refunded. Local authorities are currently investigating the matter.