Bhubaneswar: Police, during its special drive ‘Cyber Kawach’, busted an organised cyber fraud syndicate operating in the City under Khandagiri police limits.
One youth from Maharashtra was arrested in this connection near Durga Mandap, Dumduma, officials said Saturday. Acting on reliable information, a police team conducted a raid and apprehended Omkar Sankar Prajapati (25), a native of Maharashtra currently residing in Khandagiri Bari, the City.
During investigation, police found that Prajapati, along with his associates Kundan Borkate of Nagpur and Ashutosh Lenka of Khandagiri Bari, was allegedly operating an organised cyber fraud syndicate. The gang reportedly used mule bank accounts to route and launder money generated through illegal online gaming, betting, crypto trading, and gambling apps.
The accused allegedly lured financially vulnerable individuals, particularly from slum areas, with promises of easy money and fraudulently collected multiple bank accounts, ATM cards, SIM cards, and banking credentials in their names. These accounts were subsequently used to transfer and withdraw illicit funds. The syndicate reportedly earned a commission of Rs 30,000 per savings account and Rs 50,000 per current account.
Police said Prajapati failed to give a satisfactory explanation for his presence in Bhubaneswar. During sustained interrogation, he confessed to his involvement and disclosed details of the syndicate’s modus operandi. Digital examination of his mobile phone revealed incriminating chats, banking documents, transaction records, and digital wallet access details.
He was forwarded to the court after completing the necessary legal formalities. Further investigation is underway to trace other associates and unravel a wider network.