Was an International Cybercrime Racket Uncovered in Kolkata?
Synopsis
An international cybercrime syndicate targeting American citizens has been dismantled by Kolkata Police. Eight people were arrested, and a significant amount of incriminating data and electronic devices were seized. The investigation continues to reveal the depth of this fraudulent operation.
Key Takeaways
International Cybercrime: The operation targeted American citizens.
Swift Police Action: Eight individuals arrested during a rapid operation.
Fraudulent Call Center: The suspects operated a fake technical support center.
Seized Evidence: Significant amounts of digital evidence and devices were confiscated.
Investigation Ongoing: Authorities are exploring further involvement and financial channels.
Kolkata, Feb 7 (NationPress) On Saturday, the Cyber Crime branch of Kolkata Police successfully dismantled an international cybercrime operation that was specifically targeting American citizens. This operation was traced back to the Maheshtala locality within the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, leading to the arrest of eight individuals.
A substantial cache of digital data, along with incriminating documents and a variety of electronic devices, was confiscated during the raid.
Law enforcement officials reported the seizure of five laptops, twelve mobile devices, and two routers from those taken into custody.
Charges have been filed against the suspects under multiple sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Investigations revealed that the suspects had leased an apartment in a residential complex located in the Shibrampur area of Maheshtala, where they established a fraudulent call center.
Impersonating as technical support representatives from a leading IT firm, they claimed to oversee the technical operations for several major banks in the United States.
Under this guise, they contacted American citizens to extract their personal and financial information.
Various deceptive tactics were employed to execute fraudulent activities. Authorities have discovered that this false identity was even propagated on social media platforms.
Kolkata Police's Joint CP (crime), Rupesh Kumar, stated, "The investigation is ongoing, and there may be additional individuals involved."
After many defrauded American citizens reached out to Microsoft, they were informed that the entire scheme was a scam. Subsequently, a complaint was lodged at the cyber police station in Kolkata back in November of the previous year, prompting the cybercrime branch to initiate an investigation.
Following this, a specialized investigation team was established by the Kolkata Police. A swift operation, lasting nearly 20 minutes, took place at the Green Field City residential complex in Maheshtala around 3:40 a.m. on Saturday, leading to the discovery of the main hub of the fraud ring in Block-46, Seven B of the complex.
The following individuals were apprehended: Junaid Ali, Mohammad Sakir, Mohammad Khurshid Akhtar, Shadab Khan, Zakir Khan, Hussain Ahmed Khan, Sheikh Amirullah, and Kundan Roy.
These individuals hail from various neighborhoods in Kolkata and Hooghly.
A cyber police official remarked, "This is an international cybercrime syndicate. We are investigating the full scope, including the channels through which money was transferred abroad and identifying those involved."
Point of View
I believe this incident highlights the growing complexity of cybercrime on a global scale. The swift action taken by Kolkata Police reflects the necessity for law enforcement to adapt rapidly to emerging threats. Such operations not only protect individuals but also uphold the integrity of global financial systems.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the nature of the cybercrime operation?
The operation involved a fraudulent call center that targeted American citizens, impersonating technical support from a leading IT company.
Where was the operation based?
The operation was based in the Maheshtala area of South 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
How many individuals were arrested?
Eight individuals were arrested in connection with the cybercrime racket.
What kind of evidence was seized?
Authorities seized a large amount of digital data, incriminating documents, five laptops, twelve mobile phones, and two routers.
What legal actions have been taken against the suspects?
The suspects have been charged under various sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
