A Kolkata-based businessman has become the latest victim of a sophisticated fraud, losing a substantial sum of money to individuals who impersonated high-ranking government officials to lure him into a fake timber investment scheme.
The Modus Operandi: Impersonation and False Promises
The complainant, who operates his business from Hari Ram Goenka Street, approached the Posta Police Station on Sunday to file a formal case. He alleged that between July 3 and August 16, a group of con artists approached him at his offices in both Kolkata and Siliguri. The fraudsters presented themselves as senior officers from the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
To bolster their credibility and manipulate the victim, the accused used official-looking documents. They convinced the businessman to invest a large amount of money in a purported timber business venture, promising significant returns.
The Financial Loss and Police Action
Trusting their false identities and assurances, the victim proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 11,50,000 (Rs 11.5 lakh) to bank accounts linked to the accused. However, after the transfers were completed, the promises evaporated. No profits were paid, and the entire invested capital was not returned, leading to a total loss of Rs 12 lakh for the businessman.
Following his complaint, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR). The case has been filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 204 (Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence)
- Section 319(2) (Punishment for cheating)
- Section 318(4) (Cheating by personation)
- Section 336(3) (Act endangering life or personal safety of others)
- Section 340(2) (Wrongful confinement)
- Section 61(2) (Punishment for criminal conspiracy)
A Warning to Other Investors
This incident highlights a disturbing trend where criminals exploit the trust associated with government authority to execute elaborate financial scams. The Kolkata Police investigation is now ongoing to identify and apprehend the individuals behind this fraud. The case serves as a stark reminder for the public, especially business owners, to exercise extreme caution and conduct thorough due diligence before committing funds to any investment opportunity, regardless of how influential the proposers may seem.
Authorities advise verifying the credentials of anyone claiming to be a government official independently through official channels and being wary of schemes promising unusually high returns with little risk.
