Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Crime Unit of Crime Branch cautions the citizens to exercise necessary precaution while getting involved in online investment activities and also to verify the authenticity of entities offering financial services.
ADG Crime Branch Arun Bothra and IGP Crime Branch Safeen Ahmed K briefed Media here on 10 July.
Today, i.e. on 10.07.2024, the Cyber Crime Unit of CID, Crime Branch, Odisha, arrested 15 accused persons involved in a series of cyber-crime cases of Crypto/ Stock/ IPO investment fraud. This organized gang of cyber criminals was operating in the guise of investment schemes promising high returns. They enticed innocent people with lucrative offers, pursuing them to make investment by way of transfer of funds into the accounts of cyber fraudsters.
Among those arrested are Tushar Sharma and Bhavesh Thakur, @ Ankit @ Alex from Delhi, who are the masterminds behind this scam. Other accused persons from Odisha viz. Ranjit Kumar Bal of Kendrapada, Dillip Kumar Lenka of Balasore, Sunil Prasad of Ganjam, and Bishikesan Padhy @ Siba from Rayagada, joined hands with them and were getting current accounts opened in different banks to facilitate the transfer
of funds.
Similarly, Kalandi Singh & Sudhansu Bhusan Pattanaik @ Bapi from Khordha, Udaybhanu Ghadei @ Papu of Bhubaneswar, Jiten Barad of Nayagarh, Bharat Bhusan Chakra of Jagatsinghpur, Bikash Chandra Rout @ Tutu & Uttam Kumar Sahu of Bhadrak, Satya Ranjan Sahoo from Balasore and Amit Kumar Rout of Ganjam had opened bank accounts in their own name and utilized it for transferring the fraudulently obtained money.
They were fully aware of the fact that these accounts were being used for cyber fraud activities and were beneficiaries of the cheated amount.
A victim from Bhubaneswar had approached Cyber Crime Unit, CID CB.
Shri Bothra said that in recent years, there has been a concerning increase in cases of investment fraud, with perpetrators often utilizing WhatsApp or Telegram groups to defraud people.
These groups promise unrealistic returns and lure individuals to deposit money into suggested accounts. For the safety of their investments, citizens are requested to be wary of the unrealistic promise of high returns and scrutinize investment opportunities thoroughly before committing funds.
By remaining vigilant and following the safety guidelines, individuals can safeguard their investments and protect themselves from becoming a victim of online investment fraud.
Crime Branch appeals to citizens that if they encounter any suspicious online activities or become victims of any kind of cyber frauds or crime, they should immediately report such incidents promptly by dialing Toll Free 1930 Cyber Crime Help Line or log on to www.cybercrime.gov.in and register their complaint without delay.
They can also report suspected fraud numbers in the CHAKSHU portal of Department of Telecommunication https://sancharsaathi.gov.in/sfc/ or at cybercrime reporting portal of i4C, MHA https://cybercrime.gov.in/Webform/cyber_suspect.aspx.