A gang of impostors posing as police officers looted ₹2 crore in cash from a businessman's office on Pratapaditya Road in south Kolkata on 10 July 2025, in a brazen daylight heist that has rattled the city's business community. Kolkata Police confirmed on Sunday, 12 July that one member of the gang has been arrested and ₹5 lakh recovered, while a search operation is underway to nab the remaining accused.

How the Fraud Unfolded

The gang arrived at the office under the jurisdiction of Tollygunge Police Station in south Kolkata on Friday afternoon, presenting themselves as law enforcement officers. They produced fake police identity cards and confiscated the mobile phones of the businessman and his employees, cutting off any chance of an immediate distress call.

The impostors then 'interrogated' the staff about cash holdings on the premises. After coercing the employees into opening a chest, the gang removed ₹2 crore in cash and fled the scene. The entire operation was executed with a level of coordination that, according to investigators, suggests prior planning and familiarity with police procedures.

How the Crime Came to Light

It was only hours later, after the businessman and his office managers contacted the Tollygunge Police Station directly, that they realised the officers who had conducted the 'raid' were fraudsters. A formal complaint was filed shortly thereafter.

Recognising the gravity of the incident, the Kolkata Police Intelligence Department was brought in alongside local station officials. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from cameras installed in the surrounding area, which led to the identification and subsequent arrest of one suspect on Saturday, 11 July.

Arrest and Ongoing Investigation

The arrested individual is currently under interrogation. Police said efforts are simultaneously being made to trace and apprehend the remaining gang members and recover the bulk of the looted cash. Only ₹5 lakh of the ₹2 crore stolen has been recovered so far.

This is not an isolated pattern — impersonation of law enforcement to commit robbery has been reported in several Indian cities in recent years, with perpetrators exploiting the authority associated with police identity to intimidate victims into compliance.

What Happens Next

Kolkata Police have not yet disclosed the number of suspects being sought, but confirmed that a coordinated search operation involving multiple units is active. The case is being treated with urgency given the scale of the theft and the organised nature of the gang's methods. Investigators are expected to seek remand of the arrested suspect to extract information about accomplices.