Did Kolkata Police Really Arrest Four in a Major Cyber Fraud Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kolkata Police arrested four individuals linked to a significant cyber fraud.
- Items worth Rs 17 lakh were recovered during the raids.
- The fraud involved a fake Axis Bank website.
- Authorities are enhancing measures to tackle cybercrime.
- Ongoing investigations are focusing on identifying additional suspects.
Kolkata, July 27 (NationPress) Four individuals were apprehended and goods valued at Rs 17 lakh were confiscated during a series of operations conducted in the city, according to an announcement by the Kolkata Police on Sunday. These operations were part of an ongoing investigation into a cyber-fraud incident that was reported earlier this month.
The coordinated raids were executed by officers from the Cyber Cell of the Port Division of Kolkata Police along with the Garden Reach Police Station.
The individuals taken into custody have been named as Md Arif Khan (26), Raja Hati (28), Md Ahasan Ali (21), and Bikash Kumar (24).
A total of 39 mobile devices, eight power banks, three sealed wristwatches, one tablet, two sealed Bluetooth speakers, one sealed headphone, one scooter, and Rs 2.5 lakh in cash were seized. The total worth of the confiscated items is estimated to be between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 17 lakh.
A police officer revealed, 'A case of cyber fraud was logged on July 18, when a victim named Sandip Kumar Agarwal (32) reported a loss of Rs 1.18 lakh due to cyber fraud. He claimed that unidentified individuals had created a counterfeit Axis Bank website complete with a customer care number. They tricked him into clicking a malicious link sent via WhatsApp, leading to a hack of his mobile, and subsequently, Rs 1,18,410 was withdrawn from his account.'
Through the investigation, authorities found that the suspects had utilized the unlawfully obtained funds to acquire high-end electronic gadgets for resale across various locations in Kolkata.
Police further disclosed, 'The gang was known to operate in both Jamtara and Kolkata. A specialized investigation team was formed. After extensive surveillance and meticulous planning, multiple raids took place last night, resulting in the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of numerous valuable items.'
Ongoing investigations aim to trace the financial flow and identify additional parties involved in this crime.