QR code scam: Cyber fraudster dupes Rs 5 lakh from CSC operators in Odisha’s Koraput

In a shocking case of digital deception, a cyber fraudster has allegedly duped over Rs 5 lakh from multiple Common Service Centre (CSC) operators across the Koraput district using QR code transactions.

According to police sources, the accused targeted CSCs in areas like Kotpad, Boipariguda, Borigumma, and Jeypore. He would visit these centres posing as a customer and initially make small payments through QR codes to earn the trust of the operators.

Once the trust was established, the fraudster would request cash withdrawals. However, after receiving the cash, he reportedly filed false complaints at police stations in Andhra Pradesh, stating that he was a victim of cyber fraud. As a result, the CSC operators' bank accounts were blocked, leaving them both financially and legally stranded.

Six CSC operators have reportedly lost nearly Rs 5 lakh in total. The victims have approached the Koraput SP seeking justice.
“I have lost Rs 1 lakh. The fraudster came with my friend Balabhadra Majhi. All the cases were registered from Andhra Pradesh,” alleged a victim.

“An unidentified man came and made a payment of Rs 80,000 using the QR code of my CSC. The next day, my bank account was frozen. When I contacted the bank manager, I was informed that my account had been frozen by Cyber Police,” alleged another victim.

Meanwhile, Koraput SP Rohit Varma confirmed the complaints and assured a detailed investigation into the incident. Police suspect the involvement of an organised cyber fraud network operating from outside Odisha.