BHUBANESWAR: The city police on Tuesday arrested six persons on charges of duping a person of over Rs 16 lakh on the pretext of providing him higher returns.
The accused were identified as Chandan Kumar Sahu (30), a BTech graduate from Deogarh, Prabhu Pada Behera (39) from Patkura, Debendra Sahoo (31) from Bhadrak, Sushant Jena (42) and Brahmananda Pohi (44) from Keonjhar and Bhaktaram Kallu (43) from Hirakud. A total of six mobile phones, eight SIM cards and a four- wheeler have been seized from their possession.
Police launched an investigation into the case following a complaint lodged by one Swaroop Rath of Jagannath Nagar area of the city on September 27. Rath stated in the complaint that he joined a WhatsApp group and downloaded an application ‘CERBER INV’ using a link shared in the group. As the app looked genuine for investment and trading, Rath reportedly deposited about Rs 16.90 lakh in the account mentioned in the app, but as he didn’t receive any returns, he realised that he was defrauded.
During investigation, police found that the accused were trying to lure people to deposit their money in the bank account linked to the fake investment app on the pretext of higher returns. They were even trying to arrange people for mule bank accounts.
Police said that the accused were trying to dupe people in multiple states. Further investigation is on, they added.
