Kolkata Resident Defrauded of Rs 3.9 Lakh in Sophisticated Credit Card Scam
A 35-year-old woman residing in New Town, Kolkata, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing a substantial sum of Rs 3.9 lakh. The incident, which highlights the growing menace of online financial crimes, involved a scammer impersonating a private bank executive to exploit the victim's trust.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
On September 8, 2025, the DC Block resident received an unsolicited phone call from an individual who convincingly identified himself as an employee of her bank. The caller offered assistance in redeeming accumulated reward points on her credit card, a common service that banks provide to their customers.
The fraudulent process began when the scammer directed the woman to access a specific website under the guise of facilitating the reward redemption. He then guided her through the entire procedure, during which two unauthorized transactions totaling Rs 3,87,834 were discreetly debited from her account.
False Promises and Delayed Realization
To allay any suspicions, the accused assured the victim that the debited amount would be promptly credited back to her account. However, the following day, she discovered to her horror that the sum had been billed directly to her credit card account, with no signs of any refund or reward points.
Reacting swiftly, the woman contacted the bank's customer care service the next day and immediately blocked her compromised card. The bank responded by issuing a temporary credit card and initiating an internal investigation, providing her with a service request number for tracking purposes.
Bank's Response and Escalation of the Complaint
In a frustrating turn of events, the disputed amount reappeared on her credit card statement in January, prompting her to raise another objection with the bank. On January 14, the bank allegedly closed her query with a remark stating "fraud with your liability," effectively shifting the responsibility onto the victim.
Armed with transaction IDs obtained from the bank, the woman escalated the matter by lodging a formal complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. This complaint was subsequently forwarded to the New Town Police Station for further legal action and investigation.
Police Investigation and Ongoing Probe
Law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the case. An officer involved in the probe confirmed that they are meticulously examining several critical elements, including:
- The detailed call records and communication trail
- The fraudulent website link used in the scam
- The complete transaction trail linked to the beneficiary account
This multi-pronged approach aims to identify the perpetrators and understand the modus operandi employed in this cyber fraud scheme.
Rising Concerns Over Cyber Security and Banking Frauds
This incident underscores the urgent need for heightened public awareness regarding online financial security. Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated social engineering tactics to impersonate legitimate bank officials and exploit customers' trust.
Experts recommend that bank customers should always verify the authenticity of unsolicited calls by directly contacting their bank through official channels. Additionally, they advise against sharing personal or financial information on unfamiliar websites or over the phone without proper verification.
The case serves as a stark reminder for financial institutions to strengthen their fraud detection mechanisms and for customers to remain vigilant against such deceptive practices in the digital age.
