Acting on credible intelligence, the Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack (UPD) has successfully dismantled a well-organised interstate cyber fraud syndicate, arresting 12 individuals and seizing a large cache of electronic devices, documents, and other incriminating materials.
The case has been registered as Badagada Police Station Case No. 26 dated 10.01.2026 under Sections 318(2), 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act.
The gang, infamously known as the “Katrisarai Gang of Bihar”, had been operating secretly for several months from a rented house belonging to Debasish Tripathy at Plot No. 2171/16, Tankapani Road, Badagada, Bhubaneswar.
Accused Arrested:
The arrested individuals are:
1. Bijay Kumar (24), from Nawada, Bihar
2. Pintu Kumar (27), from Katrisarai, Nalanda, Bihar
3. Sanjay Kumar Ray (42), from Nawada, Bihar
4. Gunjan Kumar (40), from Katrisarai, Nalanda, Bihar
5. Ajay Raj (39), from Ernakulam, Kerala
6. Manish Kumar (20), from Nalanda, Bihar
7. Santhroo V (25), from Idukki, Kerala
8. Ajit M (28), from Idukki, Kerala
9. Sarath Sasi (25), from Idukki, Kerala
10. Debasis Tripathy (44), resident of Tankapani Road, Bhubaneswar (owner of the house)
11. Arjun Raj @ Bitu Raj (22), from Nawada, Bihar
12. Pankaj Kumar @ Pankaj Chandni (37), from Katrisarai, Nalanda, Bihar
Items Seized:
- 30 keypad mobile phones
- 30 Android smartphones
- 2 laptops with cables
- Scratch cards and customer letters
- 10 registers containing victim details, account numbers, and mobile numbers
- Speed post stamps
- Printed sheets with helpline and WhatsApp numbers
- 30 pages of fake Meesho letters
- 40 pages of fake Naptol letters
- 90 pages of fake loan/prize terms and conditions
- One black Mahindra Thar (Reg. No. BR-01-JJ-4711) belonging to Pankaj Kumar
- One TVS Jupiter 125 scooter (Reg. No. OD-02-CP-3779) belonging to Debasis Tripathy
- 6 Jio SIM cards
Interrogation revealed that Debasis Tripathy, Arjun Raj @ Bitu Raj, Bijay Kumar, and Pankaj Kumar were the masterminds. Pankaj Kumar procured customer databases from e-commerce platforms like Naptol and Meesho through agents in Bihar and arranged mule bank accounts for money transfers. The gang also obtained pre-activated SIM cards using fake documents to make calls and operate social media.
Modus Operandi – Three Major Scams:
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Gift Voucher/Prize Fraud:
Debasis Tripathy, a web graphics designer, created professional-looking scratch cards, lucky coupons, offer letters, and fake Facebook pages advertising huge prizes or four-wheelers. These letters were sent from Kolkata via speed post. Victims who scratched the coupons and found “winning” amounts were asked to contact helpline numbers. Callers then demanded registration fees ranging from ₹5,500 to ₹12,000, shared QR codes or UPI IDs linked to mule accounts, and vanished after receiving payment.
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Fake Loan Fraud:
The gang ran Facebook advertisements offering low-interest loans from reputed lenders like Mudra Finance, India Bulls, and Bajaj Finance. Victims clicking “Apply” were asked to fill forms or call helpline numbers. Fraudsters then demanded phased payments of ₹1,500–₹2,500 as registration, processing fees, GST, or taxes, promising loan disbursement that never materialised.
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Kerala Lottery Scam:
Advertisements for Kerala Lottery tickets were floated on Facebook. Victims paid a nominal ₹49 ticket fee via UPI/QR code. Four Kerala-based members (Ajay Raj, Santhroo V, Ajit M, Sarath Sasi) called victims in Malayalam to build trust, informed them of “winning” ₹10 lakh or more, and demanded 10% (₹10,000–₹15,000) plus additional amounts for taxes and GST clearance.
Police sources said the gang targeted gullible citizens across states, causing significant financial losses. Further investigation is underway to identify more victims and trace the money trail. Citizens are advised to verify offers and avoid paying upfront fees for prizes or loans.
The successful operation highlights the vigilance of the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police in combating rising cybercrime.
