Kolkata Digital Arrest Scam Exposes International Criminal Network
Investigators in Kolkata have uncovered a sophisticated international digital arrest fraud network with operational links extending to Bangladesh and Malaysia. The breakthrough follows a detailed probe into a case where a trader from Marquis Street was arrested for allegedly duping a senior citizen businessman of Rs 3 crore in October last year through digital arrest tactics.
How the Elaborate Fraud Operated
The criminal racket, which police allege extorted crores from multiple victims across India, operated by impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation officers and threatening victims with "digital arrest" over fabricated parcel cases. The fraudsters would contact victims claiming suspicious parcels had been intercepted with their names, then threaten legal action unless substantial payments were made.
Technical analysis revealed the scheme was powered by an illegal telecom gateway operated from a rented house in central Kolkata's Patwari Bagan Lane under Amherst Street. This sophisticated setup allowed the criminals to mask their international origins while making calls appear to originate from local Indian numbers.
International Connections and Key Players
Initial investigations pointed to SIM box station owner Abir Sk, who was initially arrested by Bidhannagar City Police. Evidence suggested he used Bangladeshi VPN services and virtual numbers to conceal command-and-control access. However, deeper investigation revealed a wider conspiracy allegedly directed by Biplab Hossain of Tripura.
Police have also identified Malaysian national Chung Wei Kiat as a person of interest. Wei Kiat visited India on a medical visa and is under investigation for suspected facilitation and coordination within the international network. The recovery of Malaysian currency during raids strengthened evidence of cross-border criminal collaboration.
Technical Breakthrough and Police Action
The investigation gained momentum when a victim reported receiving intimidation calls from two Indian mobile numbers. Call detail analysis and technical tracing by police and telecom officials revealed these calls were not originating from ordinary handsets. Instead, they were being terminated locally after traveling over the internet as international VoIP traffic.
The calling pattern showed telltale signs of SIM box operation: high-frequency outgoing calls, repeated short durations, and routing anomalies. SIM boxes can host dozens to thousands of SIM cards and convert internet-based calls into local GSM calls, effectively masking true origins and bypassing international termination charges.
Coordinated Raids and Arrests
Surveillance teams were deployed after telecom department inputs flagged suspicious SIM activity clusters in Baguiati, Rajabazar, and Esplanade areas of Kolkata. Officers tracked the movement of key operator Abir Sheikh to Hatiara in Baguiati, where he was intercepted on February 14 with a SIM box unit.
On February 15, a coordinated raid at the Patwari Bagan Lane house revealed a fully functional illegal telecom gateway operation. Police recovered multiple SIM boxes, electronic equipment, and foreign currency during the operation. The sophisticated setup demonstrated the technical capabilities of the international fraud network.
Broader Implications and Investigation Status
This case highlights the growing sophistication of digital fraud operations with international dimensions. The use of illegal telecom gateways represents a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies combating cross-border cybercrime. Police continue to investigate the full extent of the network's operations and are coordinating with international agencies regarding the Bangladesh and Malaysia connections.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify all victims and recover stolen funds. This case serves as a stark reminder of the evolving nature of digital fraud and the importance of public awareness regarding such sophisticated criminal schemes.
