Jharsuguda Police Uncover Major Inter-State Cyber Fraud and Money Laundering Network
In a significant breakthrough against organized cybercrime, the Belpahar police in Jharsuguda district have successfully dismantled a sophisticated inter-state syndicate specializing in laundering fraud proceeds. The operation, which led to the arrest of seven individuals across two separate cases, has exposed fraudulent transactions totaling over Rs 14 crore, as confirmed by authorities on Saturday.
Details of the Arrests and Seized Evidence
The first case resulted in the apprehension of six key suspects, including the alleged mastermind, Himanshu Kumar Shrivastav (33) from Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. Other arrested individuals are Paramananda Das (38) of Nuapada (Brajrajnagar), Stifan Bastaraya (37) from Belpahar, Tanoj Pradhan (40) of Lamtibahal, Kedar Pradhan (40) from Pudapali, and Bhima Munda (30) of IB Jamera in Jharsuguda district.
During extensive searches, law enforcement officials confiscated a substantial cache of evidence, including:
- A laptop and eight mobile handsets, some equipped with cryptocurrency applications
- Multiple international and domestic SIM cards, featuring numbers from Sri Lanka and Thailand
- Ten debit cards, eight bank passbooks, and cheque books associated with various enterprises
- An Indian passport, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, and numerous other financial documents
Second Case Involving Bank Employee Collusion
In a parallel investigation, Laikera police arrested Ishwar Daruan (24), an employee of a small finance bank in Jharsuguda. Daruan is accused of collaborating with cyber fraudsters by conducting door-to-door operations to open bank accounts in different villages. Police revealed that these accounts were deliberately established in a Sundargarh branch, despite the account holders residing in Jharsuguda, as a tactic to obscure the movement of illicit funds.
From Daruan, authorities seized his official bank identity card, two mobile phones—one specifically used for opening accounts—and several visiting cards, further substantiating the allegations.
Police Statement on Modus Operandi
Jharsuguda Superintendent of Police GR Raghavendra provided critical insights into the syndicate's operations. "The accused utilized mule bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets to effectively conceal the origins and destinations of funds," he stated. "This sophisticated method facilitated both money laundering activities and transnational cyber fraud schemes, making detection and tracking exceptionally challenging for law enforcement."
The crackdown highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals who leverage digital financial tools to commit and hide large-scale fraud. The recovery of cross-border SIM cards and crypto-related devices underscores the international dimensions of such schemes, posing significant challenges for domestic policing agencies.
This operation marks a crucial step in combating financial cybercrime in the region, with ongoing investigations likely to uncover further connections and illicit transactions. The Jharsuguda police have emphasized their commitment to pursuing all leads to ensure comprehensive justice and prevent future occurrences of similar fraudulent activities.
