Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Crime Branch has uncovered a significant online betting scam and apprehended two main suspects who reportedly defrauded a man from Jajpur of more than ₹1.08 crore over a period of two and a half years.
According to the Crime Branch, the victim became a target of a deceptive online cricket betting scheme from August 2022 to January 2025. Enticed by fraudulent websites—www.dream444.com and www.dream666.com—the complainant initially invested small amounts via PhonePe, anticipating quick profits. As the scam unfolded, he transferred over ₹1.08 crore from his own account as well as from the accounts of his wife, friends, and employees.
Cybercrime Investigators noted that the scammers utilized WhatsApp, Telegram, and social media ads to promote fake gaming applications that claimed to offer high returns. Victims were deceived into providing sensitive information such as UPI credentials and OTPs and were urged to make payments to various “mule” bank accounts.
After a complaint was filed at the CID Cyber Police Station on May 1, 2025, a technical investigation uncovered that the suspects were operating phishing websites and exploiting personal information to create fraudulent bank accounts.
The individuals arrested have been identified as Rohan, also known as Sk Wasiul Islam (29), from Raipur Pashimbarh, Contai, West Bengal, and Jyoti Prakash Pallai (36) from Press Colony, Unit-III, Bhubaneswar.
Both were presented in the OPID Court in Cuttack. The case has been registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the IT Act, the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, and the OPID Act.
During the operation, police confiscated numerous incriminating items, such as passbooks, cheque books, mobile phones, SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and a GST certificate. Several bank accounts linked to the scam have also been frozen.
The Crime Branch has cautioned the public against downloading or engaging with dubious gaming applications and websites that are advertised through unsolicited messages or social media. Citizens are encouraged to report any instances of cybercrime fraud immediately by calling the cyber helpline at 1930 or by submitting a complaint at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
