Bhubaneswar: Odisha Crime Branch (CB) has arrested five persons from Surat for their alleged involvement in an Rs 6.16 crore online trading investment fraud case.
The accused have been identified as Sejal Ravikumar Sabhaya (33), Sabhaya Ravi Kumanbhai (32), Sabhaya Kumanbhai (58), Paras Dhirubhai Jesani (32) and Dharmesh Nanubhai Savaliya (26).
They were arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by the victim in the Cyber Cell in Berhampur, alleging that he was defrauded by one Sanjana Srinivasan, who befriended him on Facebook, claiming to be a software developer at IBM, Hong Kong. She then persuaded him to trade in digital currency on ZAIF and he transferred Rs 6,16,37,084 between May 23, 2024, and June 24, 2024. Despite initial losses, he was convinced to invest more, but when attempting to withdraw, ZAIF demanded an additional Rs 89,00,000 and refused to release his funds. Following which, he realised it was a scam and lodged an FIR..
During investigation, DSP Ratnaprava Satapathy and her team analysed the transaction details and worked upon other digital evidence, tracing the accused to Gujarat. A mobile phone. SIM cards, screenshots of chats in WhatsApp, Aadhaar cards and a PAN card, bank passbooks, cheque books and debit cards were seized from their possession. Several bank accounts of the accused were also frozen.
“The accused has been produced before Court of the 12th Additional Senior Civil Judge & ACJM, Surat and are brought on transit remand to Odisha,” a CB release said.
It also warned people of unsolicited investment offers on social media and messaging apps. “Always verify before investing to avoid falling victim to cyber frauds and report such matters at 1930 Cyber helpline or at nearest police stations,” it added.
