Baripada, June 27: A woman has allegedly duped around one crore rupees from as many as seven Self Help Groups (SHG) in Baripada town under Mayurbhanj district.

The accused has been identified as  Astami Behera who eloped with the  loan  amount which was drawn in favour of the SHG members late on Saturday night.

The SHG functionaries have lodged complaint with Baripada Town police on Sunday.

According to the complaint, one Astami Behera, wife of Nabkishore Behera was living with her family at Baripada. Meanwhile, she befriended with the women of the local SHGs arranging small loans for them.

Gaining confidence over it, Astami managed to make bigger loans for the SHG members later. However, she fled with the loan amount on Saturday without giving it to the beneficiaries.

Getting informed from the banks, the SHG functionaries lodged complaint with town police on Sunday. Acting on it, police undertook investigation and carried operation to nab the accused woman.

However, no clue on the woman has been sources so far, said the investigating officer.