Bhubaneswar: The Cyber Police in Bhubaneswar have arrested Malayalam telefilm producer and actor Prasad Balan alias Kichu in connection with an inter-state cyber fraud case.

According to police sources, Kichu was the mastermind behind a series of online frauds conducted through fake trading apps. He allegedly posed as a prominent film producer and used this identity to lure people into fake investment schemes, particularly through "virtual gold bidding" platforms. He also ran advertisements for part-time job offers to trap job seekers.

Police revealed that the money defrauded from people was used to fund his ventures in the film and entertainment industry. Investigators suspect that he operated similar scams in at least 10 states across India.

In Bhubaneswar, a complaint was filed accusing him of cheating over ₹54 lakh. One of the victims, identified as Deepak Nayak, was duped after being offered a part-time job related to virtual gold bidding.

Acting on a complaint, a joint operation was carried out with the Kerala Police, and Kichu was apprehended from Kerala. During the raid, several incriminating documents, including multiple bank passbooks, PAN cards, and passports, were seized from his possession.

Cyber police are continuing their investigation into the case.