Balasore, Odisha: Odisha Police have arrested three people in connection with suspected financial transactions worth nearly ₹2.5 crore linked to an alleged cyber investment fraud. The arrests were made in Balasore and Jajpur districts, while investigators are examining the suspected role of a person based in China.

The accused include Harinath K. (49), a resident of Tamil Nadu, and a couple from Jajpur district — Basanta Kumar Jena (55) and his wife, Jharana Jena (40).

According to police, a case was registered at the Cyber Crime and Economic Offences Police Station on October 18. Acting on specific information, a police team raided a hotel in the Soro police station area and apprehended Harinath.

Investigators suspect that he had travelled to Balasore to facilitate suspicious financial transactions through mule bank accounts. During questioning, he allegedly stated that transactions amounting to around ₹2.5 crore had taken place through a Bank of India account on October 14.

Police said Harinath claimed he had arrived in Balasore on the instructions of his employer, who reportedly lives in China. He also allegedly told investigators that he had been living in China since 2005 and had married a Chinese citizen there.

During the investigation, police traced the bank account involved in the suspected transactions to Basanta Kumar Jena and his wife, residents of Antia village under Jenapur police station limits in Jajpur district. Both were subsequently arrested.

Police said approximately ₹2.5 crore had allegedly been transacted through the couple's Bank of India account. Two mobile phones have been seized, and action has been taken against the bank accounts linked to the case.

Alleged Mule Account Network Under Investigation

Additional Superintendent of Police Paresh Kumar Rout said police had received information that a person from outside Odisha was conducting high-value financial transactions through mule account holders in the Soro area.

A special team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Meena of the Cyber Police Station. The team conducted a raid on Monday afternoon and apprehended the Tamil Nadu resident, the officer said.

According to the ASP, preliminary investigations suggest that Harinath had been travelling to India periodically and allegedly arranging mule accounts in different locations to facilitate transactions involving money suspected to have originated from investment fraud.

Police are now investigating the source of the funds, identifying other suspected participants and verifying the alleged role of the China-based individual.

All three accused have been arrested and are being taken to court, police said. Further investigation is underway.

The allegations remain under investigation, and the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.