If there shall be collusion or fraud of any kind or character among the bidders at the letting of any contract or work as provided in section 3 of this chapter, then the principal who lets the contract or work, or for whom the contract was let, shall not be liable for such letting or on account of said contract or work, or any part thereof, to the successful bidder to whom the contract or work was let, his successors or assigns, if such successful bidder be a party, directly or indirectly, to such collusion or fraud on such contract or letting, or for any work, materials furnished, or thing done in discharge thereof or with reference thereto, and if before notice of such collusion or fraud payment or partial payment thereon or therefor shall have been made, such principal may at any time within five (5) years from the date of the last payment made thereon or therefor in an appropriate action in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state recover to the full amount of such payment or payments with interest to date of judgment thereon, and attorney's fees, against such successful bidder, and such recovery shall not be a bar to any action, either civil or criminal, brought against such bidder on account of any violation of this chapter on behalf of the state by the attorney general, a prosecuting attorney, or otherwise.
IC 24-1-2-4