Kolkata fake call centre bust: 24 arrested for defrauding US citizens of ₹30 crore
Synopsis
Kolkata's cyber crime unit has now busted two major fake call centre operations within a single month — the latest netting 24 arrests and ₹30 crore in alleged fraud against US citizens. With fraud scripts, dozens of computers, and a multi-tier money-handling setup seized from a 2,000 sq ft New Town office, the scale points to an organised, professionally run racket — and the mastermind is still at large.
Key Takeaways
Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police arrested 24 people — 13 women and 11 men — in a raid on Eco Space, New Town, Kolkata on 1 October 2026 .
The fake call centre allegedly defrauded US citizens of approximately ₹30 crore by impersonating Amazon and Apple technical support staff.
Police seized 53 desktop computers , 4 laptops , 24 mobile phones , and written fraud scripts from the premises.
The operation ran from a 2,000 sq ft space and used separate teams for victim communication and financial transactions.
The mastermind remains unidentified; police are interrogating those arrested to trace the full network.
On 2 September , Kolkata Police had also arrested 67 people in two separate fake call centre raids in the Kasba area.
Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police in West Bengal arrested 24 people on 1 October 2026 after raiding a fake call centre operating out of Eco Space in New Town, Kolkata, on charges of defrauding American citizens of approximately ₹30 crore by impersonating technical support staff from companies including Amazon and Apple. The raid, conducted on Wednesday night, is the latest in a series of cyber-fraud crackdowns across Kolkata.
How the Fraud Operated
According to police, the accused ran a multi-tier operation from a roughly 2,000 square-foot space at Eco Space. One group handled direct communication with US victims, posing as legitimate tech-support representatives, while a separate team managed the financial transactions to launder the proceeds. Police recovered fraud scripts from the accused — pre-written dialogue used to manipulate targets into transferring money.
During the raid, officers seized 53 desktop computers, four laptops, and 24 mobile phones. Among the 24 arrested, 13 were women and 11 were men. Most of the accused are reportedly residents of states other than West Bengal.
What Police Said
Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Rathod Amitkumar Bharat confirmed the arrests at a press conference, stating that the accused allegedly impersonated technical support personnel to defraud US citizens. Commissioner Amitkumar added that investigators would interrogate those in custody to identify and apprehend operatives at every level of the network, including the mastermind, who remains unidentified.
Part of a Wider Pattern
This is not an isolated incident. On 2 September, the Kolkata Police dismantled two separate fake call centre rings and arrested 67 people in raids on Rajdanga Main Road in the Kasba area of south Kolkata, under the jurisdiction of Kasba Police Station. Of those arrested, 41 were women and 26 were men. The recurrence of large-scale operations — two major busts within a single month — points to an entrenched industry of tech-support fraud targeting Western victims from West Bengal.
Investigation and Next Steps
Police have launched a formal investigation to trace the full organisational hierarchy behind the Eco Space operation. Authorities are expected to pursue leads on financial trails and the identities of recruiters who sourced workers from other states. The swift back-to-back crackdowns suggest coordinated pressure from the cyber crime division on such networks operating in the city's commercial hubs.
Point of View
The financial conduits, and the recruiters are the real architecture of these operations. Until those tiers are prosecuted, the model is easily replicated in the next available 2,000 sq ft office.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the fake call centre in New Town, Kolkata doing?
The call centre at Eco Space in New Town allegedly employed staff to impersonate technical support representatives of Amazon and Apple, tricking US citizens into transferring money. According to police, the operation defrauded American victims of approximately ₹30 crore and used pre-written scripts to manipulate targets.
How many people were arrested in the Eco Space raid?
Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police arrested 24 people during the raid on Wednesday night, 1 October 2026. Of those arrested, 13 were women and 11 were men, and most are reportedly residents of states other than West Bengal.
What evidence did police recover from the fake call centre?
Police seized 53 desktop computers, four laptops, 24 mobile phones, and written fraud scripts from the premises. The scripts were allegedly used by staff to deceive US citizens during calls.
Has Kolkata seen similar fake call centre busts recently?
Yes. On 2 September 2026, the Kolkata Police dismantled two separate fake call centre rings in the Kasba area of south Kolkata, arresting 67 people. The two operations together account for 91 arrests within a single month.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Police have launched a formal investigation to identify the mastermind behind the Eco Space operation. Commissioner Rathod Amitkumar Bharat has said authorities will interrogate those arrested to trace and apprehend all levels of the network, including those managing financial transactions.
