Punjab cybercriminal arrested for defrauding Odisha man of ₹6.16 crore

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Odisha Police has arrested a cybercriminal from Ludhiana, Punjab, for defrauding a man from Ganjam district of ₹6.16 crore, an official said on Sunday.

According to the complaint, the victim was lured into trading in IPOs, OTC, and USDT. He was deceived by fraudsters on the pretext of earning high returns through investments in digital currency exchange trading.

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Persuaded by the promise of lucrative gains, he transferred ₹6.16 crore to accounts controlled by the cybercriminals.

Despite suffering initial losses, the victim was convinced to invest further. However, when he attempted to withdraw funds, the fraudsters demanded additional payments and refused to release his money. Realizing it was a scam, he lodged an FIR, the official added.

During the investigation, transaction details and digital evidence led the CID to Ludhiana, where one of the perpetrators was identified and arrested.

The accused has been identified as Bittu Kumar, a native of Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh, currently residing in Ludhiana’s Inder Vihar area. Several incriminating items, including mobile phones, SIM cards, and debit cards, were seized from his possession.

Following his arrest, Bittu Kumar was produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC), Ludhiana. After securing a transit remand, he was brought to Cuttack and will be forwarded to the Court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Berhampur, under Sections 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120(B), and 34 of the IPC read with Sections 66-C and 66-D of the IT Act, 2000, the official concluded.