Shishpal, a 31-year-old fraudster from Chitarbora village, Phalodi district, Rajasthan, was arrested by the Berhampur Police after an extensive investigation into a Rs34.5 lakh digital scam. The police successfully apprehended Shishpal in Gujarat, with judicial approval, after he had been held in Gujarat’s Bhoj district for a separate case.
The scam unfolded on January 20, when an anonymous caller posing as a CBI officer contacted a teacher couple from Kukudakhandi block, Odisha. The caller falsely claimed that the husband’s mobile number was linked to a financial fraud case in Maharashtra, involving a sum of Rs2.38 crores. To add credibility to their story, the fraudsters conducted WhatsApp video calls, with individuals impersonating police officers and even a Supreme Court judge, pressuring the couple to make immediate payments to avoid arrest.
Over the span of three days, the couple transferred a total of Rs34.5 lakh into the designated accounts provided by the fraudsters. They only realized they had been scammed after no further communication or confirmation of the promised funds’ return.
Upon receiving the formal complaint, Berhampur’s Cyber & Economic Offences Police Station launched a thorough investigation, tracing the money and identifying Shishpal as the prime suspect. After securing court approval, Shishpal was transferred from Gujarat to Odisha, where he was produced in the SDJM Court, Berhampur. His bail application was rejected, and he was subsequently sent to Berhampur Circle Jail.
Authorities are continuing the investigation, with indications that more individuals may be involved in the fraud operation.
