Bolangir police busts cyber fraud gang operating through ‘virtual SIM cards’ from Rajasthan; 4 held, Rs 85 lakh frozen

In a major breakthrough, Bolangir police arrested four members of a Rajasthan-based cyber fraud gang on charges of duping a man to the tune of Rs 70 lakh.

According to sources, the police have also frozen Rs 85 lakh deposits in 60 bank accounts used in the cyber frauds.

Sharing details about the cybercrime, Bolangir SP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said, “The action from the police came after a victim fell in the trap of the cyber fraudsters and lodged a complaint in this regard at the cyber police station.”

“The cyber fraudsters duped the victim by sharing a link to an application for stock market investment and promised him a higher return in cryptocurrency investment,” Dnyandeo added.

Sharing details about the modus of operandi of the fraudsters, the district's top cop said, “During the investigation, it found that the fraudsters were using virtual SIM cards to commit the crimes. We were able to reach the criminals through some email ids and tracking 60 bank accounts used in the frauds. So far, we have frozen around Rs 85 lakh rupees deposits in the suspected bank accounts.”

Terming the cyber fraud as organised crime, the Bolangir SP said, “We have arrested four persons including one Vikash Parekh, one of the masterminds of the gang. The gang used to buy cryptocurrencies after duping the people.”

A six-member team had visited Rajasthan and apprehended the accused from Churu and Sri Ganganagar districts. As per the local police, the gang was carrying out organised crimes and duped many people in the State, the Bolangir SP added.