BHUBANESWAR: A Bhubaneswar court has convicted seven individuals for leaking sensitive information to a suspected Pakistani agent via an OTP-based cyber fraud network. The ruling, delivered on April 15 by the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court, underscores the increasing severity of cyber threats to national security.
Each of the seven convicts was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) after the court reviewed substantial evidence presented during the trial. Additionally, each accused was fined ₹32,000, with the stipulation that failure to pay the fine would result in an extra three months of rigorous imprisonment.
The conviction was supported by a robust body of evidence, including 56 documentary records and testimonies from 11 witnesses, which established the accused’s involvement in facilitating illegal activities tied to unauthorized digital access and communication with foreign operatives.
Investigators revealed that the case involved the misuse of Indian SIM cards. The accused allegedly acquired multiple SIM cards and shared one-time passwords (OTPs) with foreign handlers, allowing them to access communication channels and conduct unlawful operations. Authorities emphasized that these actions posed a significant threat to national security.
The convicted individuals include Pathanisamant Lenka, Saroj Kumar Nayak, Soumya Pattanayak, Pradyunmna Kumar Sahoo, Pritam Kar, and Abhijeet Sanjya from Maharashtra, as well as Mohammad Ikbal from Assam. Investigators noted that two of the accused from outside Odisha played a pivotal role in coordinating with the suspected Pakistani agent and maintaining the illegal network.
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Odisha Police initially cracked the case, arresting prime accused Pathanisamant Lenka in Nayagarh district on May 12, 2023. Subsequent investigations revealed financial transactions and links to foreign handlers, leading to the arrest of the remaining accused.
The accused were charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy, alongside Sections 66-C and 66-D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which address identity theft and online fraud.
Further investigations indicated that the accused operated through social media groups like “Free Recharge BOX” and “FRB Trolls,” which allegedly had around one lakh members, including participants from both India and abroad. These groups were used to exchange mobile numbers and OTPs to facilitate fraudulent financial transactions.
Authorities discovered that the network exploited various digital platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, as well as payment services like PhonePe, Paytm, and Amazon Pay. E-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho were also misused for fraudulent procurement of goods.
During coordinated raids, STF officials confiscated numerous incriminating items, including 19 high-end mobile phones, 47 pre-activated SIM cards, 61 ATM cards, 23 SIM covers, and a laptop. A chargesheet was filed on January 10, 2024, following a comprehensive investigation.
Officials reported that trials in five similar cases have been completed this year, all resulting in convictions, highlighting the STF’s effectiveness in combating cybercrime. Authorities have reiterated the necessity for stricter monitoring of SIM card usage and increased public awareness to prevent such incidents in the future.
