Kolkata cyber police crack Rs. 47 Lakh scam, 8 arrests and raids conducted

In a major cybercrime case, the Kolkata Police have cracked a sophisticated scam involving Rs. 47 lakh, where criminals impersonated government officials and duped a city resident. The case, registered as Cyber P.S. Kolkata Case No. 60/24, involves a total of eight arrests and a raid at several locations across Kolkata, including Anandapur, Patuli, and Narendrapur. The investigation revealed a well-planned conspiracy where the accused pretended to be officials from various government agencies like the CBI and Customs Department to extort money from a woman named Mrs. Debeshi Datta.

The victim, a 52-year-old resident of Golf Green, Kolkata, was targeted via phone calls and WhatsApp messages. The fraudsters fabricated accusations of her involvement in a money laundering case, pressuring her into transferring a substantial sum of Rs. 47 lakh to multiple bank accounts under the guise of clearing her name. The perpetrators used fake documents, including forged letters bearing the logos and names of prestigious institutions like the Supreme Court, RBI, and CBI, to create a credible appearance.

The arrested individuals, identified as Uma Jacinta Burney, Kushal Dutta, Shankar Das, Laltu Halder, Niladri Mondal, Abhishek Sharma, Choudhury, and Madhu Das, are currently in judicial custody. During a series of raids, investigators uncovered incriminating materials such as bank passbooks, SIM cards, mobile phones, judicial notaries, and agreements linked to shell companies that were used to launder the extorted money. The accused will remain in judicial custody until October 21, 2024.

Further investigation led the police to another accused, Suvajit Das, whose residence in Regent Estate was raided. Suvajit admitted his involvement in the scam, and a Redmi 10 smartphone, containing crucial WhatsApp chats linked to the racket's kingpin, was seized from his possession. The kingpin, operating under the company name "Donedeal," issued fake letters of appointment to company employees, further complicating the web of deceit. Suvajit was arrested after the search, and the case continues to unravel.

Additionally, Debalina Maitra Goswami, another suspect, was interrogated at her residence in Regent Estate. Although a mobile phone was seized from her, she was not immediately arrested due to her personal circumstances, as she lives alone with her 13-year-old daughter. Instead, she was served with a notice under section 41A CrPC to appear for further questioning on October 18, 2024.

The Kolkata Cyber Police's swift action has shed light on a meticulously planned scam, with raids uncovering essential evidence that could lead to the apprehension of more individuals involved in this large-scale fraud. The case highlights the increasing threat of cybercrime and the importance of vigilance, particularly when receiving unsolicited communications from supposed government officials.