Kolkata Minister Targeted in Sophisticated Digital Arrest Scam
In a shocking incident that highlights the growing audacity of cyber criminals, West Bengal's Minister of Disaster Management and Kasba MLA Javed Ahmed Khan became the target of a sophisticated digital arrest scam. The minister received threatening calls from individuals claiming to be from Mumbai's cybercrime wing, attempting to intimidate him with false allegations.
The Elaborate Fraud Attempt
The incident occurred on Friday when Minister Khan received a call at 2 PM from someone identifying themselves as an officer from the Cyber Crime unit in Mumbai. The caller used an intimidating tone and falsely claimed that the minister had obtained another mobile number in Mumbai on September 25. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Khan politely informed the caller that he had never visited Mumbai or Maharashtra in his entire life and had been using the same mobile number for the past 20 to 25 years.
When the minister suggested that the caller should redirect their queries through the proper channels at Lalbazar, the scammer immediately escalated the scheme. The fraudster initiated a conference call with another individual who claimed to be from the 'DD Cyber Cell', though no such department exists within the Kolkata Police structure. This second caller repeated the same false allegations, showing the coordinated nature of the criminal operation.
Minister's Smart Response Exposes Scammers
Rather than falling for the intimidation tactics, Minister Khan handled the situation with exemplary caution. He asked both callers to verify their complaints in writing and provide official documentation. When he revealed his identity as the Kasba MLA and requested the official email ID of the Mumbai cybercrime department via WhatsApp, the scammers failed to provide any credible information. This crucial step exposed the fraudulent nature of the entire operation.
The minister promptly filed a formal complaint at Tiljala Police Station on Friday, documenting the entire incident. In his complaint, Khan expressed his suspicion that this was the work of an organized scamster gang operating with sophisticated methods to target even high-profile individuals.
Police Praise Minister's Handling of the Situation
Law enforcement officials have commended Minister Khan's response to the attempted fraud. A Lalbazar officer described the minister's actions as "a textbook example of what to do" when facing such cyber threats. The timing of this incident is particularly significant, as Kolkata Police had released an awareness video about digital arrest scams just 48 hours earlier.
The police initiative came after a disturbing case where an elderly man from Parnasree lost a staggering Rs 3 crore to similar digital arrest fraud. The awareness campaign specifically advises citizens to verify such calls thoroughly before responding or sharing any personal information. This incident involving a sitting minister underscores that cyber criminals are targeting individuals across all segments of society, making public awareness more crucial than ever.
As digital fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, this case serves as an important reminder for all citizens to remain vigilant and follow proper verification procedures when dealing with unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement agencies.
