Kolkata: A joint operation between the Haryana and Kolkata Police led to the arrest of a young man in south Kolkata's Bansdroni area for his alleged involvement in a massive digital arrest extortion racket. The suspect, Rahul Roy, was apprehended on Saturday in connection with a cyber-fraud case involving the theft of Rs 3 crore from an elderly woman in Haryana.
The Fraudulent Scheme
According to police reports, the fraud targeted the wife of a former Army officer residing in Panchkula, Haryana. The perpetrators contacted the victim while posing as high-ranking CBI officials. They claimed that a parcel sent in her name was intercepted and found to contain illegal drugs. Using sophisticated psychological tactics, the fraudsters informed the woman she was under digital arrest, instructing her not to leave her residence or contact anyone.
Execution and Recovery
To bolster the deception, the gang initiated video calls and transmitted forged legal documents via WhatsApp. The frightened victim followed their instructions and transferred Rs 3 crore into various designated bank accounts. Following a formal complaint at the Panchkula Police Station, investigators tracked a portion of the funds to a bank account in Kolkata registered to Roy. He is currently being transitioned to Haryana for further interrogation as police attempt to locate the mastermind behind the cross-state syndicate.
Another Incident in Panchasayar
In another incident reported under Panchasayar Police Station, an elderly resident of Nayabad was duped of Rs 12.5 lakh. Fraudsters posing as police officers convinced the woman that her daughter and son-in-law were implicated in a serious criminal case. The modus operandi involved similar tactics of intimidation and false legal threats, highlighting a growing trend of such digital arrest scams across the region.
Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and verify any such calls claiming to be from law enforcement agencies. They emphasize that no legitimate agency would demand money or threaten digital arrest without proper legal procedures.
