Kolkata Nurse Accused of Stealing Rs 1.8 Lakh from Grieving Family via UPI Transactions
In a shocking case of betrayal and exploitation, a 20-year-old nurse in Kolkata has been accused of siphoning off Rs 1.8 lakh from an elderly couple she was hired to care for, with the bulk of the theft occurring shortly after the wife's death. The incident, which unfolded in the Behala area, underscores the vulnerabilities faced by elderly individuals in an increasingly digital world.
Trust Betrayed: From Caregiver to Criminal
Trisha Paul was employed in December 2025 to assist Nikhil Das (82) and his wife Shilpi (76), an ailing elderly couple who relied on her for daily support. According to Sudipto Das, the couple's elder son, Paul initially appeared sincere and eager to help. She shared personal stories of hardship, including her father's sudden death and the need to abandon her education to support her family, which deeply moved the emotionally fragile couple.
Paul quickly became indispensable, leveraging her tech-savviness to assist the elderly pair with online tasks such as ordering groceries, booking services via apps, and handling digital payments—areas where the Das couple struggled. Sudipto, who lives in Bengaluru, and his brother Sourav, based in Toronto, Canada, noted their parents' growing dependence on her during visits but assumed it was a natural part of aging.
Theft Amid Grief: Exploiting a Family's Vulnerability
Paul's service was terminated on January 12 due to frequent absenteeism. Tragically, two days later, on January 14, Shilpi passed away, prompting the brothers to rush back to Kolkata. Amid the grief and funeral rituals, Paul visited the house on January 15 under the pretext of checking on Nikhil Das, a gesture that initially seemed compassionate. She returned twice more in the following days.
It was only later that Sudipto discovered the fraud. After adding himself to one of his parents' bank accounts linked to his mother's GPay, he noticed a series of suspicious transfers. A total of 20 UPI transactions, amounting to nearly Rs 1.8 lakh, were made between January 4 and January 28. Alarmingly, Rs 1.5 lakh was transferred in three transactions shortly after Shilpi's death, using her mobile phone while the family was present and bereaved.
"Every one of the 20 transfers was made by Paul, the very person we allowed into our home and trusted with our parents' care," Sudipto recounted. "More disturbing still was the realisation that several of these transactions were carried out on the days she visited us after my mother's death."
Unrepentant Response and Police Action
When confronted, Paul showed neither fear nor remorse, remaining unperturbed even when threatened with police involvement. Her confidence raised unsettling questions about whether this was an isolated act or part of a pattern of unchallenged exploitation.
Sudipto reported the matter to the national cybercrime portal on January 31 and filed a formal complaint at Parnasree Police Station on February 1. "My mother is no longer here. My father remains frail," he added. "What worries me most now is not just what already happened, but what could happen again, to him, or to someone else's parents."
Broader Implications for Elderly Care and Digital Safety
This case highlights critical issues in caregiving and digital security for the elderly. As families increasingly rely on external helpers for tech support, it opens doors for potential abuse. Experts urge vigilance, recommending:
- Regular monitoring of financial accounts linked to elderly relatives.
- Limiting access to sensitive digital devices and payment apps.
- Conducting thorough background checks on caregivers.
- Educating older adults on basic cybersecurity measures.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger safeguards to protect vulnerable populations from such betrayals in the digital age.
