Two Cybercriminals Nabbed from Gujarat over ‘Digital Arrest’ of Berhampur University VC
Berhampur: The cyber crime unit of Berhampur police has arrested two interstate cybercriminals from Gujarat for allegedly defrauding Vice Chancellor of Berhampur University Prof Geetanjali Dash to the tune of Rs 14 lakh by holding her under ‘digital arrest.’
The accused have been identified as Bhutaiya Jenil Jaysukhbhai (23) and Vishwajeetsinh Gohil (21). They were from Gujarat’s Bhavnagar.
The investigating team of Berhampur Cyber Crime & Economic Offences Police Station led by SI Jyotiranjn Berham seized various incriminating items, including mobile phones, SIM cards, Aadhaar card etc. from the accused persons.
The investigation is progressing, with the team working diligently to uncover other accomplices, trace the trans-India network of this cyber fraud, and map the complete money trail, informed Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M.
Prof Geetanjali Dash had been defrauded by cyber fraudsters. They impersonated the victim as a CBI Officer and charged the victim to have been involved in a money laundering case (Dipankar Burman Case) wherein an account was created in Canara Bank in her name, where around 6 crore rupees was laundered.
The Berhampur University VC was kept under digital arrest from February 14 to 22 and was asked to apply for a priority investigation against a “Supreme Court Warrant”.
The fraudsters sent the VC a “warrant” via Whatsapp. She was asked to go to bank immediately to deposit her all cash for a priority investigation for which she deposited Rs.14 lakh February 14 on given account of the fraudsters. Next day, they returned Rs.80,000 to the victim’s account and told this amount has been verified hence returned. They assured her that the rest amount will also be received after verification. No money was however returned till February 24. Hence, the VC lodged an FIR at cyber crime unit of Berhampur police for legal action. The case is currently under investigation.
The accused persons and their associates with an intention to cheat the complainant had put the victim under threat of arrest by using fake documents as confidential credentials; which they collected by illicit means, with an intention to give impression to the victim that they were calling from genuine company and organization.
In a public message, the Berhampur SP urged the citizens to stay vigilant against unsolicited investment offers and digital arrest on social media and messaging apps.
He further advised the people to verify the authenticity of such schemes before investing to avoid falling prey to cyber fraud.
In case of any suspicious activity, the citizens should report immediately to the Cyber Helpline 1930 or visit the nearest police station, the SP said.
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