Odisha Cyber Crime Unit Busts ₹1.08 Crore Online Betting Scam, Two Arrested

The Odisha Cyber Crime Unit has cracked a major online betting scam and arrested two people involved in cheating victims out of huge amounts of money. The arrests were made after a man from Kalinganagar, Jajpur, reported losing ₹1.08 crore to fake online gaming and betting platforms.

The victim had been tricked over two and a half years into betting on fake websites that promised high returns. He finally realised he had been scammed and filed a police complaint on May 1, 2025.

A detailed investigation, led by Dy SP Anila Anand, revealed that the fraudsters used WhatsApp, Telegram, and social media ads to lure victims. They convinced users to share UPI details and OTPs, which were then used to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by the scammers.

The cybercrime team used digital surveillance and technical tools to track down the culprits. The two accused—29-year-old Rohan alias Sk Wasiul Islam from West Bengal and 36-year-old Jyoti Prakash Pallai from Bhubaneswar—were arrested. Police recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, bank passbooks, cheque books, and other documents from them.

Authorities have frozen several bank accounts linked to the scam and are now looking for more people involved. They are also tracking financial transactions across different locations.

Police have warned the public to avoid clicking on suspicious betting links or downloading fake gaming apps. If anyone falls victim to a cyber fraud, they should immediately report it by calling the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or by visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in.

This case is a reminder of how dangerous online scams can be and the importance of staying alert while using the internet.