Cuttack: The Commissionerate Police in Cuttack has dismantled an organized gang of cyber-criminals involved in a major interstate Telegram investment scam. The police arrested 7 persons, including main culprits and employees of private banks, and froze bank accounts worth over ₹90 lakh.
The arrested individuals are: Bijaya Kumar Meher (28) from Nagafena village, Bishwambhar Kharsel (27) from Palesira village, Rajesh Tandi (20) from Batharla village, Anil Naik (21) from Badapada village, Sritam Meher (19) from Jail Line Pada village, Dipak Dharua (24) from Sunamudi village, and a bank employee.
The police seized a large cache of items, including 69 mobile phones, four laptops, three desktops, 215 SIM cards from various service providers, 554 bank account passbooks, 702 debit and credit cards, and froze more than Rs 90 lakh in various banks. Additionally, they seized one four-wheeler, two two-wheelers, and Rs 3,200 in cash.
The gang used a network of fake companies and mule accounts to steal crores of rupees from victims. They bought mule bank accounts and SIM cards by bribing bank authorities and common people.
They trapped victims using Telegram and social media ads promising exorbitant returns on investments. The police seized incriminating articles and are investigating the gang’s involvement in similar scams.
The police have warned the public to be cautious of fake trading platforms and not to rent their bank accounts for petty gains.
