Bhubaneswar, Dec. 16: A businessman in the city was duped of Rs 2.4 lakh with the accused foisting a bag containing fake currency, waste paper and soap cakes upon him.

The accused cheated one Pabitra Senapati, owner of a medicine shop at Old Town. The victim had befriended the accused a fortnight ago.

The accused took away the cash after handing over Senapati a sealed bag, which he claimed of having $24,000 in it, at a crowded area in Delta Square and asked him to open it in another place.

Later, when Senapati opened the bag, he found few fake dollar notes along with scarp papers and washing soap cakes.

Though the incident took place on December 11, Senapati lodged a complaint at Khandagiri police station today.

“We have started an investigation into the matter,” said inspector in charge of Khandagiri police station Sanjib Satpathy.

The fraudster, who identified him as a businessman, met Senapati in the first week of December and started bonding with him.

“Later, the man had requested him to exchange a currency note of $20. Senapati exchanged the currency note through an agent and took away Indian currency worth Rs 1,150. But, the accused kept only Rs 550 and gave away rest of the money to Senapati to win his confidence,” said a police officer.

A few weeks later, the accused in his mid 40s told Senapati that he possessed $24,000 and asked him to exchange it.

He also promised of taking only Rs 200 for each $20 and giving away rest of the amount to Senapati.

“After trapping the businessman, the accused asked Senapati to arrange a cash of Rs 2.4 lakh and take away the dollars. Senapati arranged the money and handed over it to the accused and returned with a sealed bag,” said a police officer.

Dowry torture

A woman in her mid twenties has accused her husband and in-laws of torturing her for dowry two weeks after her marriage on June 2 this year. Shikha Das said she had brought Rs 10 lakh, gold jewellery as dowry but was being forced to get more money and a car.

Her father alleged that police have refused to lodge a complaint saying they would try to work out a compromise.