A Kolkata woman has filed a police complaint against a self-styled tantrik, alleging he extorted ₹7,66,345 from her by falsely promising to resolve her marital and health-related problems through occult rituals. The accused reportedly made contact via Facebook and used a combination of fabricated spiritual claims and death threats to extract payments in multiple instalments, according to Kolkata Police.

How the Fraud Unfolded

According to police, the accused connected with the victim through her Facebook account, presenting himself as a tantrik capable of improving her relationship with her husband, addressing health concerns, and warding off future dangers. Convinced by his claims, the woman contacted him on a phone number listed on his social media profile.

The accused allegedly began by demanding an initial payment of ₹8,750 along with the woman's photograph and date of birth — ostensibly required for his rituals. He then repeatedly sought further payments under the pretext of conducting pujas and other ceremonial procedures.

Threats and Escalating Payments

When the woman grew suspicious and refused to transfer more money, the accused allegedly threatened her with dire consequences, including death, if she disclosed the matter to anyone. Out of fear and mental distress, she reportedly continued to transfer funds across multiple bank accounts and UPI IDs, eventually paying a total of ₹7,66,345 in several instalments.

Notably, the threats reportedly continued even after the payments — a pattern investigators say is common in such coercive fraud cases, where sustained intimidation is used to prevent victims from approaching authorities.

Police Complaint and Investigation

After the threats persisted despite her compliance, the woman approached the Watganj Police Station in Kolkata and filed a formal complaint. The incident took place in the Watganj area and came to light on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

Investigators have launched a probe using the accused's mobile number, bank account details, UPI IDs, and Facebook profile. Kolkata Police have withheld the identities of both the accused and the victim while the investigation is ongoing.

'Investigation is on to track the tantrik who is alleged to have extorted money from the complainant. The matter is being looked into,' a senior Kolkata Police officer said.

A Wider Pattern of Occult-Based Fraud

This case is part of a broader and recurring pattern of faith-based fraud across India, where self-styled godmen and tantriks exploit personal vulnerability — particularly marital distress — to extract money. Digital platforms like Facebook have increasingly become the entry point for such fraudsters, who use them to project credibility and reach potential victims. This is not the first such case to emerge from West Bengal, where police have in recent years flagged a rise in online occult fraud targeting women in emotional distress.

As the investigation progresses, Kolkata Police are expected to trace the accused through his digital footprint — a process that could also reveal whether the fraud operated across multiple victims or states.