In a major crackdown on interstate cybercrime, the Odisha Crime Branch has arrested a 25-year-old man from Punjab for his alleged involvement in a Rs 1.55 crore online investment fraud.
The accused, Pardeep Soni, was nabbed from Ludhiana after investigators traced digital evidence linking him to a bogus IPO and OTC (over-the-counter) trading scam.
The case was initiated after a victim in Odisha lodged a complaint, stating he had been misled by fraudsters who promised unusually high returns on investments in IPOs and trading schemes. Enticed by their persuasive tactics, the victim transferred Rs 1.55 crore. However, when he attempted to withdraw his earnings, the fraudsters demanded more money and later cut off all contact—prompting the victim to file an FIR.
Following the complaint, a special team led by Inspector Namita Kumari Sahu from the Cyber Crime Police Station of the CID-CB launched a meticulous investigation. The probe involved analyzing complex financial transactions and digital footprints, taking the team to Mumbai and Pune before zeroing in on Ludhiana.
Pardeep Soni was produced before a judicial magistrate in Ludhiana, and after obtaining a transit remand, the Odisha police brought him to the state for further legal proceedings. He now faces charges under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The arrest is part of a broader effort by Odisha authorities to tackle rising cases of cyber fraud, particularly those exploiting digital investment platforms.
