The Cyber Crime Unit of the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested five individuals, including a woman, for their involvement in an online trading investment fraud totaling Rs 6.16 crore.
The investigation began after a complainant from Berhampur filed a report on July 9, 2024, stating he was defrauded by Sanjana Srinivasan, who befriended him on Facebook posing as a software developer at IBM, Hong Kong. Sanjana convinced the victim to invest in digital currency trading on the platform ZAIF, resulting in the transfer of Rs 6,16,37,084 between May 23 and June 24, 2024. Despite initial losses, the complainant was persuaded to invest further, but when he attempted to withdraw his funds, the platform demanded an additional Rs 89 lakh and refused to release his money.
Upon realizing the deception, the victim lodged an FIR. Led by DSP Ratnaprava Satapathy, the Cyber Crime Unit analyzed transaction records and digital evidence, leading to a crackdown in Gujarat. The five accused, all residents of Surat—Sejal Ravikumar Sabhaya (33), Sabhaya Ravi Kumanbhai (32), Sabhaya Kumanbhai (58), Paras Dhirubhai Jesani (32), and Dharmesh Nanubhai Savaliya (26)—were arrested.
Police seized several incriminating items including mobile phones, SIM cards, WhatsApp chat screenshots, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, bank passbooks, cheque books, and debit cards. The accused stand charged under multiple IPC sections including , along with provisions of the IT Act.
They were produced before the 12th Additional Senior Civil Judge & ACJM Court in Surat and have been brought on transit remand to Odisha. Several bank accounts linked to the fraudsters have already been frozen, and investigations are ongoing.
