The Odisha Crime Branch has arrested a woman identified as Anushka Mitra, a resident of Durgapur in West Bengal’s Bardhaman district, for her alleged role in a ₹74.10 lakh investment fraud. She was brought to Odisha on transit remand and produced before a local court on June 7, following which she was sent to judicial custody.
According to officials, Mitra and her associates posed as expert trade analysts and convinced a resident of Balasore district to invest in international metal trading, Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), and Over-the-Counter (OTC) trading platforms. Despite facing mounting losses, the victim continued investing under their influence, trusting false promises of high returns.
When the victim attempted to withdraw the invested funds, the fraudsters demanded additional payments. Realizing the scheme was a scam, the victim approached the police and filed an FIR, leading to Mitra’s arrest.
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Gujarat Fraud Ring Exposed: Three Separate Cyber Scams Unearthed
In a parallel operation, the Crime Branch arrested five individuals from Gujarat in connection with three distinct cybercrime cases involving sophisticated deception tactics and financial manipulation.
- Case 1: Two suspects were arrested for orchestrating a ₹1.4 crore online trading scam. Victims were tricked into believing they were investing in legitimate trading platforms, only to be defrauded.
- Case 2: In Bhubaneswar, a resident was defrauded of ₹1.06 crore in what police termed a “digital arrest” scheme. The scammers impersonated Mumbai Crime Branch officers and courier service personnel, threatening the victim with arrest and media exposure to extort funds.
- Case 3: A 22-year-old from Gujarat was arrested for duping a man from Chhatrapur in Ganjam district of ₹50 lakh, promising high returns from stock market investments. The accused used fake trading apps and manipulated transaction screenshots to gain the victim’s trust.
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Authorities Warn of Rising Trend in Tech-Enabled Investment Scams
The Odisha Crime Branch has raised concerns about the growing trend of cybercriminals exploiting public trust in financial services by using professional fronts, fake identities, and high-pressure tactics. Many victims are lured through well-crafted online campaigns or personalized calls by people posing as financial advisors or enforcement authorities.
Officials are urging the public to verify investment opportunities through regulated financial institutions and report any suspicious interactions immediately. Investigations into these cases are ongoing, and police expect more arrests in connection with these syndicates operating across state lines.