In a major breakthrough, the Odisha Crime Branch’s Cyber Crime Unit arrested two individuals linked to a digital fraud case involving a scam worth Rs1.06 crore. The accused, Satish Kumar K (32), a resident of Chennai, and Harish C M (28), from Kozhikode, were apprehended in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, respectively.
The fraud came to light after a Senior Scientist from Bhubaneswar filed a complaint with the Crime Branch. On August 9, 2024, the victim received a call from someone claiming to be from DHL Couriers, informing him of a parcel sent to Japan under his name and Aadhar number. This parcel supposedly contained passports, credit cards, drugs, and money, which had been held by Customs and referred to the Narcotics Department. He was instructed to urgently contact the Mumbai Crime Branch for further instructions.
The conversation later transitioned into a video call with a person posing as a police officer, supported by a fabricated backdrop showing high-ranking officials. The scam involved a detailed scheme that convinced the victim he was under investigation for money laundering and other serious charges due to illegal accounts opened under his identity.
The fraudulent agents then coerced the victim into transferring money to a “government-controlled RBI account,” promising that the amount would be returned after an investigation. A total of ₹98 lakh was transferred to the accused’s accounts—Rs68 lakh to Satish Kumar’s account and ₹30 lakh to Harish C M’s account.
Upon investigation, the Cyber Crime Unit tracked down the perpetrators using technical evidence and arrested them. The authorities are continuing the investigation to uncover additional details regarding the scam and the involvement of others in this criminal network.
This incident highlights the growing threat of digital scams targeting individuals through advanced tactics like fake calls and video calls impersonating law enforcement officials. Authorities have urged citizens to be cautious and verify all such communications before taking any financial actions.
Further updates on the case are expected as the investigation progresses.
