Bhubaneswar, Dec. 13 -- In a significant crackdown, Odisha Vigilance, in coordination with Rourkela Police, arrested two fraudsters for allegedly extorting Rs 4 lakh from a senior OAS officer by impersonating Vigilance officials.

The accused have been identified as Ganesh Prasad Nanda of Mendhamal village, PS-Birmaharajpur in Subarnapur district, and his relative Pradeep Kumar Panda.

According to police, the duo allegedly threatened the officer with false Vigilance cases unless he paid the money in two instalments. They were reportedly working in tandem, with Nanda using multiple mobile numbers and presenting himself as a Vigilance officer on Truecaller.

The accused allegedly targeted government officials, claiming bribery or misuse of...