Odisha Crime Branch Arrests Man in ₹2.01 Crore Online Investment Fraud Case
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch Cyber Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into a major online investment fraud involving a fake trading platform, in which a victim was allegedly duped of more than ₹2.01 crore.
According to the Crime Branch, unidentified cyber fraudsters initially approached the victim through social media and subsequently added him to a WhatsApp group. The accused allegedly诱ed the victim into investing in multiple fraudulent trading applications — RCL-PMA, FIVEMAX, 5 PAISA V10705 and TRADERS HUB — by promising high and assured returns.
Trusting these assurances, the victim transferred a total of ₹2,01,50,000 to various bank accounts linked to the fraudsters, police said.
Following the registration of the case, a special investigating team led by Inspector Bijit Kumar Behera analysed bank transaction trails and digital evidence. Based on the findings, the Cyber Police conducted a crackdown in Bhubaneswar and identified and arrested Manoranjan Rout (42).
The accused, son of Adikanda Rout, is a resident of Flat-103, Block-C, Phase-III, Metro Satellite City, Hanspal, Balianta, in Khurda district. During the arrest, police seized several incriminating items, including mobile phones, SIM cards and other digital devices.
Manoranjan Rout was produced before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM), Bhubaneswar, and booked under Sections 318(2), 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Crime Branch has advised citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited investment offers circulating on social media and messaging platforms. People have been urged to verify the authenticity of investment schemes before transferring money and to report cyber frauds immediately by calling the 1930 Cyber Crime Helpline or contacting the nearest police station.
Further investigation into the case is underway.
