How Two Gujarat Cyber Criminals Swindled Rs 14 Lakh from Berhampur University VC

Cyber Fraud Uncovered in Berhampur

Berhampur: Authorities have apprehended two individuals from Gujarat accused of defrauding Rs 14 lakh from Prof Geetanjali Dash, the Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University. The incident occurred in February when the fraudsters threatened her with a fabricated digital arrest, as reported by police on Saturday. The suspects, identified as 23-year-old Bhooteya Jenil Jaysukhbhai and 21-year-old Bishwajeet Sina Gohil, both hail from Bhavnagar in Gujarat.

Law enforcement officials have confiscated various items believed to have been utilized in the scam, including electronic gadgets, mobile phones, SIM cards, and Aadhaar cards, according to a statement from SP Sarvana Vivek M.

The arrests were executed with the collaboration of local police in Gujarat. After their capture, the suspects were presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Bhavnagar and subsequently transported to Berhampur under a transit remand.

They were then brought before the SDJM Court in Berhampur and placed in judicial custody. The SP confirmed that the investigation is ongoing under case number 15/25.

According to police reports, Dash received a call from an unidentified number on February 12. The caller, posing as an officer from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), claimed her name was involved in an ongoing investigation.

The impersonator alleged that an account had been opened in her name at Canara Bank, where illegal transactions amounting to crores had been deposited. He further stated that she had been 'digitally arrested' in connection with the case.

To resolve the situation, the caller demanded a payment of Rs 14 lakh. Believing the threats, Dash issued a cheque from her personal account and transferred the funds to an account specified by the fraudsters. It was only later that she realized she had been scammed and promptly filed a complaint with the police. A special investigative team was established to look into the matter under the direct oversight of Berhampur SP.