Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Police have dismantled an inter-state cyber fraud racket, arresting 12 individuals in a major crackdown, officials said on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided a house in the Badagada area of the city on Sunday. Among those arrested, seven were from Bihar, four from Kerala, and one from Odisha, a senior police officer said. The total monetary value of the fraud is currently under investigation.

Police seized a range of items used in the operation, including 30 basic mobile phones, 30 smartphones, two laptops, scratch cards, and incriminating letters, according to Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh.

“The accused were running a big cyber fraud racket in Bhubaneswar,” Singh added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena said the gang allegedly cheated people using gift vouchers, lottery tickets, and loans. Victims were reported from multiple states, highlighting the multi-state reach of the cyber scam.

Police confirmed that further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the full scale of financial loss and identify additional individuals involved in the racket. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious about unsolicited calls, online offers, and suspicious financial schemes.

PTI