Radiologist duped of Rs 35,000 by fraudster mimicking voices of min, spiritual leader

Bhubaneswar: A radiologist at a private hospital here lost Rs 35,000 on Tuesday after a fraudster allegedly mimicked the voices of a cabinet minister and a woman spiritual leader over the phone. Police arrested two associates of the prime accused on Wednesday, while he remains at large.The radiologist, who requested anonymity, told police that he was on hospital duty around 10:30 am when he received a call. The caller introduced himself as the personal assistant of a cabinet minister and handed over the phone, claiming the minister wished to speak with him.“The victim then heard a voice resembling that of the minister, who spoke about plans to open a radiology centre in Bhubaneswar. When he asked how they obtained his number, the caller claimed to have a list of radiologists in the city and said he was consulting them before setting up the centre. The fraudster even offered the radiologist the position of head of the proposed facility,” a police officer said.Moments later, another voice — purporting to be that of a woman spiritual leader conducting a puja in Kandhamal district’s Phulbani — joined the call. She claimed the minister was her disciple.“Sensing the radiologist’s interest, the fraudster urged him to contribute Rs 35,000 towards the puja. Without verifying the caller’s identity, the victim transferred the money via UPI,” the police officer said.An hour later, when he tried to reconnect, the number was found switched off. Realising he was cheated, the radiologists lodged a complaint with Bharatpur police station.Investigations revealed the money was received by an employee of a common service centre in Boudh district. Interrogation led police to identify the mastermind, Soumya Ranjan Pradhan, who allegedly used voice mimicry to carry out the fraud, along with his associates Biren Pradhan and Sidhant Mirdha.“We arrested Biren and Sidhant. Efforts are on to trace Soumya Ranjan. The accused confessed to using similar voice mimicry tricks, impersonating VVIPs, to cheat others,” a police officer said.