Commissionerate Police Bust UPI Fraud Syndicate in Bhubaneswar 

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police busted a UPI fraud syndicate operating across states and apprehended 8 individuals, including the mastermind. The group specialized in siphoning funds from victims’ UPI and bank accounts by hacking them after skillfully stealing their mobile phones.

According to Prateek Singh, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Bhubaneswar, the gang operated in multiple groups nationwide, each consisting of a minimum of 14 members. The cohorts primarily hailed from West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, and various other regions.

Singh revealed, “The gang orchestrated their activities during festive seasons or significant local events, strategically targeting bus terminals, crowded areas, temples, and hospitals. Their modus operandi involved snatching mobile phones and utilizing the SIM cards to make unauthorized withdrawals from victim’s UPI and bank accounts.”

The Capital Police unraveled the gang while investigating a case involving the pilferage of Rs 14 lakh from a UPI account in Bhubaneswar. Singh stated, “Upon confirming their involvement, we traced back to the mastermind. We have confiscated 22 mobile phones, 25 SIM cards, several memory chips, and Rs 1.3 lakh in cash. Other accomplices are currently evading arrest, but we are optimistic about apprehending them soon.”