Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Jul 27: In a decisive move against cybercrime, Kolkata Police arrested four individuals and seized stolen items valued at nearly Rs 17 lakh during a series of coordinated raids across the city. The arrests stem from an investigation into a cyber fraud case registered earlier this month.
The joint operation was carried out by officers from the Cyber Cell of the Port Division and the Garden Reach Police Station. The accused have been identified as Md Arif Khan (26), Raja Hati (28), Md Ahasan Ali (21), and Bikash Kumar (24).
Among the items recovered during the raids were:
• 39 mobile phones
• 8 power banks
• 3 sealed wristwatches
• 1 tablet
• 2 sealed Bluetooth speakers
• 1 sealed headphone
• 1 scooter
• Rs 2.5 lakh in cash
The total value of the seized items is estimated to be between Rs 15 and Rs 17 lakh.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint filed on July 18 by Sandip Kumar Agarwal (32), who reported losing Rs 1.18 lakh to cyber fraud. According to police, the fraudsters had created a fake website impersonating Axis Bank, including a bogus customer care number. Agarwal was deceived into clicking on a malicious link sent via WhatsApp, after which his mobile system was compromised and Rs 1,18,410 was siphoned from his bank account.
As the probe deepened, investigators discovered that the gang had used the ill-gotten money to purchase high-end electronic goods for resale in various parts of Kolkata.
Police revealed that the fraud network operated out of both Jamtara — infamous as a cybercrime hotspot — and Kolkata. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed, and following weeks of surveillance and meticulous planning, simultaneous raids were carried out on Saturday night, leading to the arrests and recovery.
Authorities have confirmed that further investigation is underway to trace the full money trail and identify additional members of the network involved in the cyber fraud ring.