Fake loan call centres busted in Kolkata; 10 arrested for fraud
Synopsis
Kolkata Police have cracked a fake call centre racket where fraudsters impersonated Tata Capital Finance employees, fabricated loan documents, and swindled victims out of processing fees. Ten arrests across Bowbazar and Patuli, 48 phones, fake rubber stamps, and a laptop seized — pointing to a well-organised, scalable operation.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police busted two fake call centres on 9 July in the Bowbazar area and arrested 10 people in total.
Fraudsters allegedly posed as Tata Capital Finance employees, fabricating loan documents and a fake demand draft to dupe victims.
One confirmed victim transferred ₹25,450 in instalments after being promised a loan of ₹2.18 lakh .
A tenth accused, Sudhir Mahato , was arrested from the Patuli area after co-accused revealed the network's wider reach.
Items seized include 48 keypad mobile phones , one laptop , six SIM cards , and two fake rubber stamps .
Police are investigating to identify additional victims and other members of the racket.
Kolkata Police have dismantled two fake call centres operating in the city and arrested 10 people for allegedly defrauding citizens by impersonating representatives of reputed financial institutions and offering quick loans at low interest rates. The arrests, confirmed on Sunday, 12 July, followed a joint operation by Metiabruz Police Station and the Cyber Cell of the Port Division of Kolkata Police.
How the Fraud Operated
According to police, the accused targeted victims by promising swift loan disbursals at attractive interest rates. In one documented case, a woman residing within the jurisdiction of Metiabruz Police Station filed a complaint alleging she was approached by fraudsters who posed as employees of Tata Capital Finance and offered her a loan of ₹2.18 lakh.
To establish credibility, the accused allegedly fabricated Tata Capital documents and a fake demand draft. They then extracted money from the victim under the guise of processing fees, insurance charges, and documentation fees. The complainant transferred a total of ₹25,450 in instalments before realising no loan would be disbursed and lodging a formal complaint with the police.
The Investigation and Arrests
Acting on the complaint, the Cyber Cell of the Port Division deployed technical surveillance to trace the accused. On 9 July, investigators simultaneously raided two premises under the jurisdiction of Bowbazar Police Station, where the fake call centres were found operational. Nine persons were arrested on the spot; however, police withheld disclosure of the arrests to protect the ongoing investigation.
During questioning, the arrested individuals allegedly revealed that the network was wider than initially assessed. Acting on those disclosures, a tenth accused — identified as Sudhir Mahato — was arrested from the Patuli Police Station area on Saturday, bringing the total arrests to 10.
Evidence Recovered
Police recovered a significant cache of equipment from the accused, including 48 keypad mobile phones, one smartphone, one laptop, six SIM cards, two fake rubber stamps, and several phone numbers. The scale of the recovery suggests the racket was capable of running large-scale simultaneous fraud operations.
Scope of the Racket and What Comes Next
Investigators are currently questioning the arrested accused to determine the full extent of the network and the total number of victims duped. Police have not ruled out further arrests. This case is part of a broader pattern of loan-fraud call centre operations that have targeted financially vulnerable citizens across urban India, often exploiting trust in well-known brand names. The investigation is ongoing.
Point of View
Fabricate paperwork, and collect 'fees' before the victim realises no loan is coming. The recovery of 48 phones and fake rubber stamps signals an organised, scalable operation — not a one-off con. What the case also underscores is the ease with which brand names like Tata Capital can be weaponised; the reputational collateral damage to legitimate lenders is rarely counted in these stories. Kolkata has seen a string of cyber-fraud busts in recent months, yet conviction rates in such cases remain low, raising the question of whether arrests alone are an adequate deterrent.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the fake call centres in Kolkata doing?
The fake call centres were allegedly defrauding people by posing as representatives of reputed financial companies, particularly Tata Capital Finance, and promising quick loans at low interest rates. They extracted money from victims in the form of processing fees, insurance charges, and documentation fees, but never disbursed any loans.
How many people were arrested in the Kolkata loan fraud case?
A total of 10 people were arrested — nine from two fake call centre premises in the Bowbazar area on 9 July, and a tenth accused, Sudhir Mahato, from the Patuli area on Saturday. The operation was conducted jointly by Metiabruz Police Station and the Cyber Cell of the Port Division.
How much money was cheated from victims?
In the case that triggered the investigation, one woman was duped of ₹25,450 in instalments after being promised a loan of ₹2.18 lakh. Police are still questioning the accused to determine the total number of victims and the full amount defrauded.
What evidence was recovered from the accused?
Police recovered 48 keypad mobile phones, one smartphone, one laptop, six SIM cards, two fake rubber stamps, and several phone numbers from the accused. The volume of devices indicates the racket was running multiple simultaneous fraud operations.
How did police trace the accused?
The Cyber Cell of the Port Division used technical surveillance after a complaint was filed by a victim. Investigators traced the location of the accused and formed a special team that simultaneously raided two premises in the Bowbazar area, leading to the arrests.
