Online cricket betting fraud worth over Rs 1 crore: Odisha CB arrests 2 accused including diploma engineer from Bhubaneswar

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Crime Branch, on Wednesday claimed to have busted a major online gaming betting cyber fraud by arresting two persons on the charges of duping people to the tune of over Rs 1 crore. The accused have been identified as Sk Wasiul Islam (29) of West Bengal and Jyoti Prakash Pallai (36) of Press Colony area in Bhubaneswar. Pallai is a diploma engineer and is engaged in construction work.

About The Case

A case was earlier registered on the basis of the complaint filed by a victim from Jajpur district. The victim alleged to have been defrauded by unknown cyber fraudsters from August 2022 to January 2025 through a fake link shared for an online cricket betting website in Google using IDs (www.dream444.com & another one is www.dream666.com) and lost around Rs. 1.08 crore.

Initially, the victim started paying small amounts in Phone Pay from Rs.1000, and then he was addicted to the game to earn more money, which he thought would be doubled and tripled. 

The fraudsters persuaded him to transfer more and more money, leading him to transfer Rs. 1,08,79,420 from his account,his  wife's account, friends' and staff accounts. After 2.5 years, the victim realized that it was a scam and lodged an FIR atthe  Cyber Police Station, CID, CB. 

How Gang Operated?

The Cyber Fraudsters lured through messages in WhatsApp, Telegram, and Social Media Ads promising high returns via a “gaming app.” Users were tricked into sharing UPI credentials and OTPs and transferring huge amounts to current mule accounts.
Seizures Made

The investigating team has seized various incriminating articles, including number of passbooks, cheque book, Mobile phones, SIM card, GST certificate, Aadhar card, PAN card, etc. were seized from the possession of the accused persons which is clearly established that the accused persons are doing such cyber frauds in the name of online betting platform.