Howrah: A resident of the Chattarjihat police station area in Howrah District fell victim to an elaborate fraud scheme involving his insurance policy. It all began when he received an email about the renewal of his insurance policy. A few days later, he got a call from someone claiming to be a representative of the insurance company, asking him to deposit money to complete the renewal process.
Unaware that the caller was a fraudster, the resident provided detailed information about his bank accounts. The fraudster then orchestrated a series of transactions, resulting in over Rs 33 lakh being withdrawn from the victim’s two bank accounts in installments.
Upon realizing the fraud, the victim filed a written complaint on February 10th. The case was quickly taken up by the Cyber Crime Department of the West Bengal Police, with the Divisional Head of the Howrah Cyber Crime Police Station overseeing the investigation. Police Sub-Inspector Pallavi Biswas was appointed to lead the probe, and her team began diligently monitoring technological evidence week after week.
The investigation made significant progress, leading to a breakthrough this week. With the assistance of the crime department, the police were able to trace the fraudsters to a residence in the Techno City police station area of Newtown. In a coordinated raid, officers arrested two individuals, Sushil Kumar Jena and Pranab Prakash Bhoy.
The raid yielded substantial evidence. Authorities seized 38 SIM cards, several mobile phones connected to the bank accounts used in the fraud, Rs 4 lakh in cash, detailed bank statements, two cars, and numerous debit cards from various banks. These items are crucial pieces of evidence that will help in understanding the full extent of the fraud and identifying any additional accomplices.
The police are optimistic about recovering the remaining stolen money soon. The investigation continues as the Cyber Crime Department analyzes the seized items and traces the financial transactions. The authorities are also urging the public to be cautious and verify the identity of callers before sharing any personal or financial information. This case serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters and the importance of cybersecurity awareness.
The swift action and collaboration between different police departments highlight the effectiveness of the West Bengal Police in tackling cybercrime and protecting citizens from financial fraud.
