Trade fraud through fake App; Rourkela Police busts major gang, mastermind in UAE; 9 arrested

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, Rourkela Police have dismantled a major inter-state cyber fraud network operating across Odisha and Chhattisgarh. A total of nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, marking one of the biggest crackdowns on cyber fraud in recent times in the region.

How The Gang Was Busted?

On credible intelligence, a special team raided an apartment in Civil Township on suspicion of being used as a hub for cyber fraud. A total of 2 accused persons were detained and this led to the raiding of another apartment in Basanti Colony and subsequently, a total of 5 other persons were detained. Various incriminating articles, fake sims, multiple mobile phones, and laptops were seized from them. 

What Probe Revealed? 

On interrogation, the accused revealed the modus operandi and told that they were part of a Trade fraud through Fake App called “TradeNow”. The team apprehended were mule account operators who used to transact more than Rs. 50 lakhs daily. Further inquiry led to the arrest of two more accused who are residents of Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 

What Senior Police Officials Said?

Senior Police officials said that the alleged mastermind, Kishan Agarwal, is based out of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and operates out of there, and runs this racket in India as well as other countries as ascertained in the investigation. The scale of fraud is under thorough scrutiny. The transactions were routed through Hawala operators and it constituted an international organized crime racket across several south and west Asian countries.

The cybercriminal gang had set up two fake offices in Rourkela, using them as operational hubs to carry out a series of sophisticated online scams. By posing as customer care executives of reputed companies or government agencies, they lured unsuspecting victims into revealing personal and financial information. The gang used this data to siphon off money from victims’ bank accounts through phishing, fake job offers, fraudulent UPI links, and other digital manipulation techniques.

Seizure

During a well-coordinated raid, police officials seized critical evidence from the accused, including 31 mobile phones, 5 laptops, and 78 ATM cards belonging to various banks. These devices were reportedly used to communicate with targets and process fraudulent transactions. Initial investigations have revealed that the group operated a well-organized system, with different members assigned to handle communication, data collection, account management, and fund transfers.

The police have also identified multiple bank accounts used by the gang for laundering and distributing the proceeds of crime. Authorities have already frozen Rs 1.41 crore from these accounts, suspecting it to be part of the illegal earnings made through online frauds. Investigators believe that the gang had managed to siphon off money not just from people within India, but also from victims abroad, indicating the transnational reach of their operations.