Bhubaneswar: Tamando police in Bhubaneswar have arrested four persons for allegedly running a fraudulent online escort service.
The accused have been identified as Umakanta Dalei, Chitta Ranjan Mohanty, Tofan Pradhan, and Kumari Minz.
Modus Operandi: Stolen Photos and Digital Traps
According to police, the suspects operated by scouring social media platforms to download photographs of unsuspecting young women without their consent. They used these images to set up deceptive escort service websites and classified pages, falsely claiming the women were available for sex work.
Once clients initiated contact, the accused would request online payments under the guise of “booking charges,” “cab charges,” and “service fees.” After receiving the digital payments, the gang would immediately block the victims’ numbers and disappear, effectively defrauding the victims.
Digital Evidences Seized
Following a formal complaint regarding photo misuse and financial fraud and a meticulous digital trail, the Tamando police conducted raids, leading to the arrests. Nine mobile phones used to manage the fake websites and communicate with victims and 15 SIM cards procured under various names to evade tracking were sized as bank account data and UPI transaction histories detailed the flow of cheated money.
The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Further investigations are underway to trace the financial trail and determine if more individuals are linked to the network.
DCP’s Appeal
Bhubaneswar DCP has urged the public to remain vigilant against online classified frauds. He also appealed to anyone who may have been duped by such rackets to step forward and report the matter to their nearest police station, assuring that the identity of informants and victims will be kept strictly confidential.
