30 from West Bengal detained during raid at Cuttack hotel; major cryptocurrency fraud suspected

The Twin City Commissionerate Police carried out a major operation early on Thursday morning at a hotel in the Sikharpur area of Cuttack, detaining 30 individuals suspected of involvement in a cryptocurrency scam.

Sources reported that a team from the Chauliganj police acted on intelligence that a group of suspects from West Bengal was staying at the hotel. The suspects had checked in around 8 pm on Wednesday. While 30 individuals were registered at the hotel, a few others linked to the group reportedly stayed elsewhere, stated sources.

Probe Ongoing

Following the raid, the detained individuals are currently being interrogated at Chauliganj police station.

The Commissionerate Police, however, has yet to provide any information regarding the nature and scale of the suspected scam, nor has it divulged information as to where the complaint was lodged.

Meanwhile, sources reported that the hotel owner has also come under suspicion and may be called in for questioning. No comments from the police or hotel authorities could be obtained so far.

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Previous Crypto Fraud Cases

The raid follows a crackdown last month when Cuttack cyber police arrested three individuals, identified as Abinash Ojha, Gagan Sahu, and Prateek Chaurasia, in connection with a Rs 13.72 lakh cryptocurrency scam.

The accused had used pre-activated SIM cards and posed as bank employees to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.

Authorities had frozen 39 bank accounts and seized Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, and other incriminating materials. The victim, a local resident, lost over Rs 13.72 lakh.