Karnataka Bitcoin Scam: How 'Bigg Boss' Has Put BJP-Led Govt In A Fix

Srikrishna who is accused of multiple drug peddling cases and cyber fraud cases even involved in the hacking of Karnataka goverment's portal

Bitcoin (Image for representation)

Chennai: A case from 2020 is now rocking the BJP-led Karnataka government as they are unable to recover any valuables from a high-profile bitcoin hacker with links across the globe and has swindled several crores of money. There are also talks reportedly in political circles that an American agency has written to India as a result of which the Prime Minister's office is also seeking details of the case.

The hacker was identified as Srikrishna or Sriki, who is also known as 'Bigg Boss' among the people in the Bitcoin racket. Currently, three different departments -- the Enforcement Directorate, CID and the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru police -- are investigating the cases involving Srikrishna who is accused of multiple drug peddling cases and cyber fraud cases even involved in the hacking of the Karnataka government's portal. The Karnataka government has also sought the help of the CBI but the agency is yet to take up the case. 

Sriki & The Racket

Sriki has started hacking from his school days and he has also hacked multiple apps including BTCRpm.me (bitcoin exchange app), Havelock investment (bitcoin trading platform), Paytiz (Bangladeshi platform) and Mixexchage (a Ukrainian platform), as per a report on Deccan Herald.

However, the biggest scam was when he siphoned off the Karnataka government website in 2019 to the tune of Rs 8 crores. The Karnataka Opposition alleged that he will overall be involved in a scam valued at Rs 10,000 crore. The Opposition also alleged that there would be links between Sriki and political leaders of the Karnataka government, said The Print.

Taking to Twitter, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said, “There is information about the involvement of influential politicians of Karnataka in Drugs & Bitcoin scam. It is concerning that the investigating officers are trying to close the case to help those politicians.”

“BJP govt should not use their power to divert the investigation. They should ensure that the guilty are punished,” he said.

This the not the first time police are on a lookout for Sriki but he was already arrested in 2015 for hacking a bank account but was granted bail. He was once again on the radar in 2018 due to a brawl in a pub between Shatinagar MLA and son of Congress leader NA Haris. 

He even came under arrest in 2020 allegedly after he smuggled drugs for his consumption and sale. The police caught hold of him and his associates in 2020 when he got a parcel of ganja from a nearby post office in Bengaluru. The police initially said they recovered bitcoins worth Rs 9 crore but later said the money could not be retrieved.