Kolkata Resident Allegedly Defrauded of Rs 41 Lakh by Impersonators Posing as CBI Officials
A resident of New Town in Kolkata has come forward with a shocking complaint, alleging that he was swindled out of a staggering sum of Rs 41 lakh by a group of fraudsters who were impersonating officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to the detailed written complaint filed with the police, the ordeal began on March 5 when the man started receiving a series of threatening calls from unknown individuals.
The Elaborate Phone Scam and Threats
The callers identified themselves as Naresh Goyal, Sandeep Rao, and Karan Sharma. One of them specifically claimed to be a CBI officer. They informed the complainant that an ATM card had been issued in his name and that he was linked to a fraudulent bank account as well as a larger financial scam. The fraudsters allegedly issued severe threats of arrest and other dire legal consequences if he did not comply with their instructions.
Over the phone and through internet-based calls, the perpetrators maintained relentless pressure. They warned the man of immediate punitive action, alleging that an account had been opened in his name in Mumbai connecting him to a scam involving another individual. The victim insisted he held no such account, but the threats continued unabated.
The Financial Transfer and Realization of Fraud
Fearing imminent arrest and legal trouble, the terrified resident transferred Rs 40,95,000 via RTGS on March 7 from his personal account to a public sector bank account located in a remote area of Telangana. This account was registered under the name of a private firm. It was only after completing this substantial transaction that the man realized he had been duped.
He subsequently approached the authorities, reporting that one of the threatening calls had originated from three separate phone numbers. By the time he reached the police, all these numbers were switched off. The complainant stated that the callers had explicitly directed him to send the money to the Telangana-based account while continuing to issue threats.
Police Action and Cyber Crime Reporting
An FIR was officially registered at the New Town Police Station on March 10. The case has been filed under Sections 318(4), 319(2), 316(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police officials confirmed that the complainant had already submitted a report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal prior to visiting the police station, highlighting the growing use of digital platforms for such grievances.
This incident underscores the sophisticated methods employed by cyber criminals who exploit fear and authority to execute large-scale financial fraud. Authorities are investigating the matter, urging citizens to remain vigilant and verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be from law enforcement agencies before divulging personal information or making monetary transfers.
