The Cuttack Cyber Police arrested Parthasarathi Das, a former Army personnel from Balasore, for masterminding a massive online fraud that defrauded thousands across Odisha of nearly Rs 20 crore.
Das developed and promoted an Android application called ‘Huge App,’ which promised users significant returns for depositing around Rs 16,500. Users were enticed with the promise of earning commissions by liking, sharing YouTube videos, and inviting others to join the platform.
Initially, some victims received payouts, creating a false sense of security. However, the app abruptly stopped working, and withdrawal options were disabled, leaving many users at a loss.
When users complained, Das reportedly convinced them to invest more money to “reactivate” the app, which led to further losses. A complaint filed by a victim prompted the cyber police to investigate.
By tracking the accused through mobile numbers, login credentials, and IP addresses, the police located and arrested Das in Balasore. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities suspecting more individuals may be involved in the scam.
