In a major crackdown, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Odisha Police arrested two individuals for allegedly defrauding a woman from Salipur, Cuttack of Rs1.56 crore through a fake online investment scam.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
Kamadev Rout
Bikram Kumar Jethi
According to the police statement, the victim was lured into investing money in various online platforms between February 2024 and February 2025 with the promise of high returns. Over the course of the year, she transferred Rs57.39 lakh into 10 different bank accounts provided by the accused and handed over an additional Rs98.60 lakh in cash across multiple dates.
Despite repeated assurances of profit, the victim received no returns. When she demanded her money back, the accused attempted to prolong the fraud by contacting her again. Sensing deception, she lodged a formal complaint with the Cyber Police Station of the Odisha Crime Branch.
Acting swiftly, CID formed a team and apprehended the duo on July 16 and 17 when they traveled to Cuttack in a bid to coax more money from the complainant.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects had used a mix of bank transfers and physical cash collection to mask their fraudulent activity. The CID is investigating whether the accused were part of a larger fraud network and have urged other possible victims to come forward.
More arrests are likely as the money trail and digital evidence are being analyzed.
