Kolkata police have recovered Rs 1.5 crore in connection with an alleged digital arrest scam that defrauded a retired bank employee from Regent Park of Rs 4.4 crore. According to law enforcement authorities, the victim filed a complaint at the Regent Park Police Station, alleging that fraudsters impersonating officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) threatened him with arrest and coerced him into transferring substantial sums of money.
Details of the Fraud
Investigators revealed that the victim began transferring funds starting April 1 and continued making payments over a period of nearly two months. The fraudulent activity came to light only after concerned family members alerted the police. The scam, commonly referred to as a digital arrest scam, involves perpetrators using fear tactics to manipulate victims into believing they are under investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Modus Operandi
The fraudsters contacted the victim via phone, posing as high-ranking officials from the CBI and ED. They claimed that the victim was implicated in a money laundering case and would be arrested unless he paid a significant amount to resolve the matter. Under duress, the retired bank employee complied, transferring a total of Rs 4.4 crore over several weeks. The police have since recovered Rs 1.5 crore of the stolen amount and are continuing their investigation to trace the remaining funds and identify the perpetrators.
Police Investigation
The Kolkata Police cyber cell has taken over the case and is working to track the digital trail left by the scammers. Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant against such scams and to report any suspicious calls or messages to the authorities immediately. The police also emphasized that government agencies never demand money over the phone or threaten arrest without due process.
The recovery of Rs 1.5 crore marks a significant breakthrough in the case, but investigators caution that cyber fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They advise citizens to verify the identity of any caller claiming to be from a law enforcement agency and to never share personal or financial information under pressure.
About the Author
Tamaghna Banerjee, a reporter based in Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights, and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest stories and rural reporting. Banerjee holds a postgraduate degree in journalism and mass communication and has accumulated 14 years of experience in the field of journalism.
