Kolkata Cyber Police nabs key accused in ₹1.12 crore investment scam

The Cyber Police Station, Kolkata, arrested Rajdip Sinha (26) from Duttapukur, North 24 Parganas, in connection with an investment fraud amounting to ₹1.12 crore. The case, registered as Cyber P.S. Kolkata Case No. 81/24, was lodged on August 15, 2024, under various sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. The complaint was filed by Hamid Ansari, who alleged that he was deceived through WhatsApp messages and fake documents purportedly issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other agencies.

According to the investigation, the accused and his associates added the complainant to a WhatsApp group and convinced him to invest funds by sharing fabricated electronic documents. Believing the scheme to be legitimate, Ansari transferred ₹1,12,44,005 to multiple bank accounts. A forensic audit traced ₹14.32 lakh of the amount to a UCO Bank account in Mumbai, which was subsequently funneled into an RBL Bank account in Kolkata. Further examination revealed that ₹65.30 lakh was transferred into this RBL account through 13 separate transactions.

Based on financial trails and technical evidence, officers conducted a raid at Sinha’s residence in Nandanpally, Duttapukur, on February 17. He was arrested at 6:40 AM and taken into custody. Officials stated that the accused was the account holder of the RBL Bank account where a substantial portion of the defrauded money was transferred. Law enforcement is now analyzing financial transactions to identify other individuals involved and locate the remaining funds.

Sinha is expected to be produced in court soon. The case has been registered under Sections 66, 66C, and 66D read with 43 of the Information Technology Act, along with Sections 120B, 419, 420, 465, 467, 468, and 471 of the IPC. Authorities are continuing the investigation to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent operation and identify all beneficiaries of the scam.