Who is the man arrested from Chennai for duping a Kolkata hospital of crores in cyber fraud?
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Synopsis
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a man was arrested in Chennai for duping a Kolkata hospital out of crores of rupees. This incident has raised alarms about the growing threat of cyber scams targeting healthcare institutions. The investigation is ongoing, with police recovering part of the stolen funds. Stay tuned as we bring you more updates.
Key Takeaways
- Cyber scams pose a significant threat to institutions, including healthcare.
- Impersonation tactics are commonly used by fraudsters.
- Authorities are actively working to recover stolen funds.
- Victims are encouraged to report incidents to law enforcement.
- Cybersecurity measures need to be strengthened across all sectors.
Kolkata, Dec 27 (NationPress) Authorities in West Bengal have apprehended an individual in Chennai for allegedly defrauding a private medical institution in Kolkata of crores of rupees through a cyber scam, as reported by officials on Saturday.
The suspect, identified as Sikandar Bacha, was taken into custody in Chennai and subsequently transported to the Bidhannagar Police Station under transit remand. A part of the embezzled funds amounting to Rs 30.72 lakh has been recovered from him.
Earlier this month, Atanu Mukherjee, the vice-president of a private hospital located in Baguiati, received a WhatsApp message from an unrecognized number. The profile picture depicted that of the hospital's managing director, Prashant Sharma.
The message claimed that the sender was no longer using his old phone number and would be utilizing the new number for all company communications. Believing this message to be authentic, Mukherjee replied.
The next day, he received another message from the same contact, directing him to transfer a significant amount of money from the hospital's account to a different bank account. Trusting that it was a direct order from the managing director, he complied. It was only later that he discovered he had been a victim of cyber fraud.
Mukherjee subsequently filed a complaint with the Baguiati police, prompting an investigation. During the inquiry, police traced the bank account used for the fraudulent transactions back to Tamil Nadu.
A team was deployed to locate the accused in Tamil Nadu.
According to a senior official from the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, “The suspect, Sikandar Bacha, was apprehended in Chennai. He was brought to the police station under transit remand and presented in court, which has placed him under seven days of police custody. The investigation is ongoing to determine if others were involved in this crime.”
As of now, police have recovered Rs 30.72 lakh of the stolen funds. Efforts continue to trace and retrieve the remaining amount.
Point of View
This incident illustrates the alarming rise of cyber fraud in our country, particularly targeting vulnerable sectors like healthcare. With the increasing reliance on technology, it is imperative for institutions to enhance their cybersecurity measures. As always, Nation stands with the victims in their pursuit of justice and calls for stringent actions against cyber criminals.
NationPress
04/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does the arrested man face?
The arrested individual faces charges of cyber fraud for duping a private hospital in Kolkata out of crores of rupees.
How much money was recovered from the accused?
Authorities have recovered a portion of the defrauded amount, specifically Rs 30.72 lakh.
What method was used in the scam?
The scam involved impersonation through WhatsApp, where the fraudster posed as the hospital's managing director.
Where was the accused arrested?
The accused was arrested in Chennai and then brought to Kolkata for legal proceedings.
Is the investigation still ongoing?
Yes, the investigation is ongoing to determine if others were involved in the crime.
