Koraput: The district wing of cyber police arrested a person for allegedly committing cyber fraud through a social media app.
The accused has been identified as Jagannath Behera, a resident of Mayurbhanj district. Police also seized Rs 1.58 lakh and a mobile phone from Jagannath’s possession.
According to sources the fraudster operating through the Telegram app used to lure people with the promise of double their money in a stipulated time.
Police action was taken after Asish Pradhan, a resident of Potangi in Koraput district filed a complaint with Cyber police in February.
“Complainant Asish had filed a complaint accusing Behera of duping him of Rs 1.58 through the telegram app. Asish initially got a link in his WhatsApp to join telegram channels @lata564156 and @oppo4771. Jagannath used to chat with Asish. Lured by Jagannath’s offer Asish agreed to invest his money”, said Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shrabani Nayak.
SDPO further said, “Asish, unaware of the scam, transferred Rs 1.58 lakh to Jagannath’s account. However, he did not receive any doubled amount and realized he had been defrauded. Upon discovering the scam, the victim filed a case with the Koraput cyber police. He had sent the money from his SBI account to Jagannath’s PNB bank account. We had formed a team to nab Jagannath by tracking his phone number. Jagannath was arrested from Mayurbhanj. Though he is an unemployed youth, he is technically very sound as he is a B.SC graduate. That’s why he created channels in WhatsApp and telegrams to connect with people through these apps. After winning the confidence of the people, he asked them to invest money to get it doubled. Several cases have been pending against the accused.”
