Kolkata fake call centre bust: 67 arrested, 41 women among accused
Synopsis
West Bengal police raided two interconnected fake call centres on Rajdanga Main Road in Kolkata's Kasba area and arrested 67 people — 41 of them women — in a single operation. The accused allegedly impersonated telecom, bank, and insurance officials to defraud victims nationwide, using nearly 100 mule bank accounts over six months. The alleged mastermind, Sandeep Banerjee of Nayabad, is now in custody.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal police arrested 67 people , including 41 women , after busting two fake call centres on Rajdanga Main Road , Kasba , Kolkata .
Raids were conducted on 2 September and 3 September 2024 ; both centres were allegedly run by Sandeep Banerjee of Nayabad .
Accused allegedly impersonated telecom, banking, and insurance firms to collect money under false pretexts including 5G tower installations and loan processing fees.
Investigators suspect nearly 100 bank accounts were used as mule accounts over the past six months .
Seized items include 71 mobile phones , diaries with target lists, scripted call guides, and forged authorisation letters.
All 67 accused have been charged under the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
West Bengal police dismantled two fake call centres operating out of south Kolkata and arrested 67 people — including 41 women — in connection with an alleged nationwide fraud racket, officials confirmed on Thursday, 3 September. Both operations were traced to premises on Rajdanga Main Road in the Kasba area, with raids carried out on successive days.
How the Raids Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off, officers raided a premises on Rajdanga Main Road on Wednesday, 2 September, where multiple individuals were found working out of an office-style setup and placing calls to people across the country. The initial raid yielded 39 mobile phones, nine chargers, nine diaries, two ATM debit cards, and cash worth ₹16,000.
During questioning, investigators uncovered a second operation running from the first floor of a nearby building on the same road. A follow-up raid led to the arrest of 27 more individuals, including 18 women and nine men. Officers seized an additional 32 mobile phones and four registers from that premises.
The Alleged Fraud Scheme
Preliminary investigations indicate the accused allegedly posed as representatives of telecom companies, banks, and insurance firms. They reportedly lured victims with promises of 5G mobile tower installations, high-return insurance schemes, health insurance policies, and low-interest loans — then persuaded them to transfer money into designated accounts under the guise of processing fees and other charges.
Police suspect those accounts functioned as mule accounts within the broader fraud network. Investigators believe nearly 100 bank accounts were used by the racket over the past six months. Diaries and ledgers recovered during the raids allegedly contained details of prospective targets alongside scripted conversations crafted to extract payments.
Forged Documents and Shifting Locations
The accused are also suspected of using forged authorisation letters purportedly issued by banks, organisations, and government agencies to gain the confidence of potential victims. Investigators believe the call centre had previously operated from the Patuli area before relocating to Rajdanga Main Road approximately one month ago — a pattern consistent with fraud operations attempting to evade detection.
Key Suspect and Legal Action
According to investigators, both call centres were allegedly run by Sandeep Banerjee, a resident of Nayabad, along with unidentified associates. Police are now probing the wider network, including the identities of other conspirators and the total amount allegedly siphoned from victims.
All 67 accused have been charged under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation into the full scale of the racket remains ongoing.
Point of View
Forged letterheads, scripted pitches — that continues to operate with relative ease despite repeated crackdowns. The high proportion of women among the arrested raises questions about whether they were active participants or economically vulnerable individuals recruited as front-line callers, a distinction investigators must establish clearly. The alleged relocation from Patuli to Rajdanga Main Road just a month prior suggests organised evasion, not opportunistic fraud. The real accountability test is whether the probe reaches beyond Sandeep Banerjee to the financiers and account aggregators who enabled 100 mule accounts to run for six months undetected.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the fake call centres in Kolkata's Kasba area doing?
The accused allegedly posed as representatives of telecom companies, banks, and insurance firms to defraud people across India. Victims were reportedly convinced to transfer money under the guise of 5G tower installation charges, loan processing fees, and insurance packages.
How many people were arrested in the Kolkata call centre raid?
A total of 67 people were arrested across two raids on Rajdanga Main Road in the Kasba area of south Kolkata, including 41 women. The arrests took place on 2 and 3 September 2024.
Who is the alleged mastermind behind the fake call centres?
According to investigators, both call centres were allegedly operated by Sandeep Banerjee, a resident of Nayabad in Kolkata, along with unidentified associates. Police are continuing to probe the wider network.
What evidence was seized during the raids?
Officers seized a combined 71 mobile phones, nine chargers, diaries and ledgers containing target lists and scripted conversations, two ATM debit cards, four registers, and cash worth ₹16,000. Forged authorisation letters purportedly from banks and government agencies were also reportedly found.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
All 67 accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are still working to determine the total amount allegedly defrauded from victims.
