In a significant crackdown on digital financial fraud, the Kolkata Police has apprehended three individuals believed to be part of a sophisticated, nationwide racket targeting senior corporate executives. The arrests, made from the Jorasanko area on Wednesday, have exposed what investigators term a "CEO SIM-swap scam" that manipulated company finance teams into transferring large sums of money.
How the Elaborate Scam Operated
The fraudsters employed a multi-layered deception strategy. First, they allegedly cloned the SIM cards of high-ranking company officials, including CEOs and managing directors. Using the cloned numbers, they created WhatsApp accounts complete with the executive's profile photograph to appear genuine.
Posing as the senior executive, the scammer would then contact the company's finance department via WhatsApp call or message. In a chilling detail, officers revealed the accused even mimicked the voice and tone of the boss to lend credibility to their instructions. They would urgently direct staff to transfer substantial funds to specified bank accounts, claiming the need for a confidential business transaction.
The Kolkata Case That Unraveled the Racket
The entire operation came to light following an incident at a Kolkata-based multinational corporation. The head of the company noticed an unexplained transfer of Rs 50 lakh that had been approved by his staff. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the finance team had acted after receiving a WhatsApp call that perfectly mimicked the boss's voice and identity, instructing them to make the payment immediately.
This prompt reporting allowed the cybercrime unit of Lalbazar (Kolkata Police headquarters) to swiftly launch an investigation. Their digital trail led them not just across Kolkata but to multiple states, indicating the pan-India footprint of the criminal network.
Nationwide Impact and Police Warning
Investigators now believe that several companies across the country may have already fallen victim to this scam, with losses potentially running into crores of rupees. The arrest of the three men from Jorasanko is considered a crucial breakthrough, but police suspect more actors are involved.
In light of this sophisticated fraud, the Kolkata Police and cybercrime experts have issued a stern warning to all corporations. They emphasize the critical need for mandatory secondary verification for all digital fund-transfer requests, especially those involving large amounts. Companies are advised to establish a strict protocol where such requests must be confirmed through a separate, pre-verified communication channel—a direct phone call on a known number or an in-person confirmation—before any transaction is processed.
The police are continuing their probe to uncover the full extent of the network and identify all the victims.
