How Can Kolkata Citizens Avoid Falling Victim to Bank Account Rental Fraud?

Kolkata, Sep 4 (NationPress) The Kolkata Police have initiated a public alert regarding a rising type of deception, termed bank account rental fraud, where individuals inadvertently become linked to fraudulent activities by providing their bank details to scammers.

This particular fraud is characterized by substantial sums being funneled into the accounts of the perpetrators, according to a senior officer from Kolkata Police on Thursday.

Reports indicate that victims span various age groups, with housewives being particularly vulnerable to this scheme.

Recently, a woman named Rita Vaidya Sengupta from Tollygunge, located in south Kolkata, was apprehended by the Kolkata Police for her involvement in such a fraud case. Allegations state that a loan amounting to five lakh rupees was secured from a lending institution using fraudulent documents in her name. However, she was completely unaware of this transaction and had no knowledge that such a loan had been taken out.

Due to her failure to repay the amount on time, a case was filed against Rita Vaidya with the Kolkata Police, leading to her arrest by specialized officers from the Detective Branch.

Similarly, another victim, Imran Ansari, a young man residing in the Banshdroni area of south Kolkata, also found himself ensnared in this crime. Scammers exploited his bank account details to acquire a significant loan, prompting a complaint to be lodged in Chandigarh.

Following this complaint, the Chandigarh Police, in collaboration with the Kolkata Police, conducted a raid at Imran’s residence and arrested him. Imran, however, was seemingly unaware of the fraudulent activity.

In both cases, the main perpetrator remains at large. A senior officer from Kolkata Police stated, “There is a mastermind behind all of this. A search is ongoing to identify this individual. Scammers are enticing people from various demographics to secure loans with ease.”

“Once they ensnare their victims and obtain their bank details, these fraudsters utilize that information to secure loans from lending firms. They also fabricate documents, such as payslips, in the victim's name to evade detection. Once approved, the funds are deposited into the fraudster's account, while the loan is recorded under the name of the unsuspecting individual who shared their bank details,” explained the police.

Throughout this process, the affected individuals remain oblivious. As the fraudsters fail to repay the loans, these individuals are unjustly labeled as defaulters.

In light of these developments, the officers from Kolkata's Detective Branch have urged the public to exercise caution. They have also cautioned individuals against sharing their bank account information with anyone.