Kolkata Police Launches Probe Into Sophisticated Cyber Fraud Scheme
Kolkata Police has initiated a comprehensive investigation into a sophisticated cyber fraud case that has targeted a resident of south Kolkata. The elaborate scam allegedly utilized the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise as deceptive bait to manipulate the victim into installing a malicious android application package (APK). This malicious installation resulted in unauthorized financial transactions totaling more than Rs 5.3 lakh being debited from the victim's bank account without consent.
Modus Operandi: Government Impersonation and Malicious Software
Investigators examining the case suspect this fraudulent activity represents part of a broader criminal pattern that has been emerging in the region. The perpetrators are believed to be impersonating government officials and employees to establish false credibility with their targets. Their methodology involves contacting potential victims while posing as legitimate authorities, then requesting sensitive One-Time Passwords (OTPs) under various pretexts.
A particularly concerning aspect of this scam involves the circulation of files deliberately labeled as 'SIR.apk' to create the illusion of official Election Commission documentation. These malicious files are designed to appear legitimate while actually containing harmful software engineered to compromise personal devices and extract confidential financial information.
Victim's Experience: How the Scam Unfolded
According to the detailed complaint filed with authorities, the victim, who resides in the Behala area of Kolkata, received an unsolicited message from an unknown mobile number. This message contained a file with the .apk extension that falsely claimed to provide important details and information related to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise.
The victim reported that he accidentally clicked on the file, which subsequently installed itself on his smartphone without his full understanding of the consequences. Following this installation, multiple unauthorized transactions were systematically executed from his bank account over the course of the previous weekend, resulting in the substantial financial loss.
Police Response and Investigation Details
Kolkata Police has officially registered the case against unknown persons based on allegations of criminal conspiracy and cheating under relevant sections of the law. Police officials have clarified that the fraud appears to have been executed through the strategic installation of malicious software on the complainant's mobile device. This software was specifically designed to gain unauthorized access to banking credentials and facilitate sequential debits in several tranches.
The victim took immediate action upon discovering the fraudulent activity, informing his banking institution on Monday morning. He formally requested that his account be frozen immediately and that all associated debit cards, credit cards, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) access be permanently blocked to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
Additionally, the complainant filed a preliminary report through the national cybercrime helpline and provided Kolkata Police with comprehensive supporting documents, including bank statements, transaction records, and screenshots of the suspicious messages he received.
Technical Analysis and Ongoing Investigation
Police authorities have confirmed that technical analysis is currently underway as part of the active investigation. Forensic experts are working diligently to:
- Trace the precise origin of the fraudulent message that initiated the scam
- Examine the specific behavior and capabilities of the malware contained within the APK file
- Identify beneficiary accounts linked to the unauthorized financial transfers
- Determine potential connections to other similar cyber fraud cases in the region
This investigation highlights the growing sophistication of cyber criminals who are increasingly leveraging official government programs and exercises to lend credibility to their fraudulent schemes. Authorities are urging citizens to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited messages containing downloadable files, particularly those claiming to be from government agencies.
