Bhubaneswar Resident Defrauded of ₹50 Lakh in Online Investment Scam; Prime Accused Arrested
Bhubaneswar police have arrested a West Bengal man for allegedly defrauding a local resident of over Rs 50 lakh through an online investment scam.
According to reports, the victim, Bhagirathi Mohanta, joined a WhatsApp group named SMC SIT III WII Group in October 2024.
Guided by a coordinator identified as Ms Kriti Gupta, Mohanta was persuaded to open a fake trading account and transfer funds to multiple accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
When promised returns failed to materialise, Mohanta lodged a complaint. Case No. 19 was registered on January 24, 2025, under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The prime accused, Arabinda Paul, an MBA graduate from Hooghly, West Bengal, was arrested. Police seized a keypad mobile phone from him, which was allegedly used to coordinate the fraudulent activities.
Investigators revealed that Paul posed as a coordinator and was the main beneficiary of the scam.
Authorities have warned citizens against transferring money to unknown accounts without verification.
Victims of cybercrime are advised to report incidents via www.cybercrime.gov.in, helpline 1930, or Bhubaneswar UPD Cyber PS helpline 7440006709.
The investigation, led by SI K. Mohallik, is ongoing to identify accomplices and recover the defrauded funds.
