Odisha’s cybersecurity network has dealt a significant blow to transnational cybercrime syndicates with the arrest of the main agent supplying mule bank accounts to Chinese cyber fraudsters.
The accused, identified as Pritam Nayak, alias Babulu, hails from the Bant area in Bhadrak district.
The arrest follows a high-profile cyber fraud investigation involving a staggering INR 91.90 lakh (approx. INR 92 lakh) conned from a resident of Bhubaneswar.
The Modus Operandi: False Promises and Crypto Payoffs
According to police sources, the scam was orchestrated through popular social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp. Victims were lured into the trap with deceptive promises of “double returns” on investments. Once hooked, the funds were siphoned off through a network of meticulously arranged bank accounts.
Investigation revealed that Nayak operated in close coordination with Chinese cyber operators via Telegram. Acting as a critical local link, he arranged and supplied mule bank accounts to funnel the illicit funds. In exchange for his services, the accused received his cut in cryptocurrency commissions, helping the syndicate mask the financial trail.
Crackdown Continues
With Nayak’s arrest, the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with this specific multi-million rupee scam has risen to five, following the earlier arrests of four other accomplices. Cyber cell authorities have reiterated warnings against engaging with unverified online investment schemes promising unrealistic returns on social media.
