Kolkata Police Investigate Surge in Digital Arrest Fraud Targeting Elderly Residents
In a concerning development, two new cases of digital arrest fraud were reported from South Kolkata on Tuesday, highlighting a resurgence of this sophisticated cyber-extortion tactic in the city. The victims, a 72-year-old man and an 80-year-old retired corporate general manager, were collectively swindled of Rs 64.5 lakh by fraudsters posing as investigators from federal agencies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and judicial authorities.
Alarming Rise in Cases Within a Week
With these two incidents, the total number of digital arrest cases reported in Kolkata has climbed to seven in just one week. Investigators believe this sudden surge indicates a revival of this cybercrime method, which preys on fear and impersonation of official entities. The Kolkata Police have registered First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act, with the detective department probing whether the same syndicate is behind both crimes.
Detailed Accounts of the Fraudulent Schemes
First Incident: The 72-Year-Old Victim from Anandapur
The 72-year-old man, residing in a co-operative housing society in Anandapur, was targeted between March 23 and April 7. He received a series of calls from individuals impersonating an inspector from Navi Mumbai and the chief of the CBI. The scammers falsely claimed the victim was implicated in a high-profile money laundering case, threatening that his entire retirement benefits would be frozen. Intimidated and believing the calls appeared official, the victim was tricked into making three separate Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) transfers, totalling Rs 54 lakh, to an account provided by the accused. The fraudsters maintained a constant presence during the calls to prevent him from seeking help or verifying the claims.
Second Incident: The 80-Year-Old Victim from Chetla
The second case involved an 80-year-old retired corporate general manager living in Chetla. On April 2, he received a call from an individual claiming to be a CBI officer from Delhi. The intimidation escalated via WhatsApp video calls, where the victim was reportedly confronted by four to five men dressed in alleged police uniforms. One of the accused even wore a black robe to impersonate a Supreme Court judge. To make their claims appear genuine, the fraudsters sent forged court orders featuring the victim's name and the official logos of the Supreme Court and CBI.
The victim stated in his complaint, "They virtually detained me in my house via video calls and did not allow me to contact anyone." Believing he was under "digital arrest," he transferred Rs 33 lakh in two instalments to avoid the cancellation of a purported bail. The psychological toll was severe, with the victim, who lives alone, expressing that he was "completely devastated" after realising his life savings had been siphoned off.
Investigation Challenges and Police Advisory
Officers investigating the cases conceded that recovery of funds remains a significant challenge. "The money often changes hands through multiple ‘mule accounts' within minutes of the transfer," an officer explained. While suspect accounts have been flagged for freezing, the speed of digital transactions often outpaces traditional investigative protocols.
In response, Kolkata Police have issued an advisory emphasising key points:
- No government agency, including the CBI, Customs, or state police, arrests or investigates via WhatsApp video calls.
- Citizens must remember that no agency will demand transfer of funds into private accounts for supposed verification or safe custody.
- If asked to stay on a video call under the guise of an arrest, it is a scam.
Police urged residents, especially senior citizens living alone, to contact the cybercrime helpline or the nearest police station immediately upon receiving such suspicious calls. This proactive measure aims to prevent further victimisation and raise awareness about the tactics used by cybercriminals in digital arrest fraud schemes.
