Deogarh Cyber Fraud: Retired Govt Employee Duped of ₹94.62 Lakh, Three Arrested
Bhubaneswar/Deogarh: In a major breakthrough, the Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police has busted a cyber fraud racket that siphoned off nearly Rs 94.62 lakh from a retired government employee.
Three youths from Deogarh district have been arrested for their involvement in the scam.
The victim, Prakash Kumar Mahapatra, a retired government employee from Bhubaneswar, was lured into investing through fake trading applications that promised high returns.
Fraudsters created apps resembling legitimate platforms, including names like BEBICAPS and Chola Pro, and added victims to WhatsApp groups where they were convinced of lucrative investment opportunities in stocks, shares, and IPOs.
According to police, the fraudsters tricked victims into transferring money via UPI, NEFT, and RTGS to multiple third-party accounts.
When Mahapatra attempted to withdraw his investments, the accused demanded a 30% service charge and additional fees, further deepening the trap.
The arrested youths have been identified as Lala Basantra (21) of Riamal, Chinmay Sahu (19) of Darjimunda, and Manas Kumar Sahu (30) of Medinipur.
Police seized mobile phones, ATM cards, and registration documents during the raid. Inspector Jyoti Parida led the special team that carried out the operation.
Authorities suspect more individuals are linked to the fraud network, and investigations are underway to trace additional suspects and recover the siphoned funds.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious of online trading apps and investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns, stressing that fraudsters often exploit digital platforms to target unsuspecting victims.
