Bhubaneswar: In a major breakthrough, the Cuttack Cyber Police on Monday arrested an ex-Army personnel from Balasore for allegedly orchestrating a massive online scam, defrauding thousands of people across Odisha of nearly Rs 20 crore.
The accused, identified as Parthasarathi Das, is a resident of the Rajendra Nagar area in Badambadi, Cuttack. He was arrested from the Chandipur area of Balasore following a detailed cyber investigation.
According to police, Das developed and circulated an Android APK file named ‘Huge App’ via social media platforms, promising users substantial returns. Victims were lured into depositing around Rs 16,500 with the assurance of earning commissions by liking and sharing YouTube videos and inviting others to join the app.
“Initially, some users received payments, which created a false sense of legitimacy. As more people joined, the app suddenly stopped functioning and withdrawal options were disabled,” said Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo while addressing the media.
When users complained, Das allegedly convinced them to deposit additional money to “reactivate” the app. Eventually, after repeated failures and losses, one of the victims filed a complaint at the Cuttack Cyber Police Station.
Similar complaints were also traced in rural areas of Cuttack. Despite limited leads, the cyber team tracked the accused using his mobile number, login credentials, and IP address. With support from the Crime Branch, Das was located and arrested.
Police suspect that more people may be involved in the racket and further investigation is underway.
