Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: The Odisha Crime Branch has arrested six individuals involved in an investment fraud scheme from Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
The accused are Arun Shaju alias Henry Johnson, Seenu R, Vasu J (all from Tamil Nadu) and Jaimin Kukdeja Megharajbhai, Brijesh Dayabhai Sathiya, Udaya Rameshbhai (all from Gujarat).
Arun Shaju and Jaimin Kukdeja Megharajbhai opened bank accounts in their names and shared them with fraudsters for fraudulent activities. Vasu J, Seenu R, and Udaya Rameshbhai acted as account collectors, obtaining more accounts to facilitate the transfer of stolen money. Brijesh Dayabhai Sathiya withdrew cash through cheques and handed it over to hawala operators in Gujarat for further distribution.
The case came to light when a resident of Bhubaneswar reported being defrauded after investing in trading apps advertised on WhatsApp groups. He had deposited a total of ₹71.95 lakhs into various accounts, only to realize the profits shown were fake. The Crime Branch registered an FIR and conducted raids in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, leading to the arrests.
