Three Arrested in Rs 1.1 Crore Digital Arrest Scam Targeting Retired Scientist in New Town

In a significant breakthrough in a high-value cybercrime case, Bidhannagar Police have arrested three individuals accused of orchestrating a Rs 1.1 crore digital arrest scam that targeted a 72-year-old retired scientist from Kolkata's New Town. The arrests have raised hopes that the victim may recover a substantial portion of the money lost in one of the city's biggest recent cyber fraud cases.

The accused have been identified as Biku Kumar, Duronto Patra, and Mohammad Javed, who were apprehended from the Behala area during a coordinated police operation. They were produced before the Bidhannagar court on Saturday, which remanded them to six days of police custody for further investigation.

The victim, a former researcher at the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute and an accomplished author, fell prey to the sophisticated fraud in January after cybercriminals impersonated senior law enforcement and intelligence officials. According to investigators, the retired scientist received a phone call on January 15, during which the caller introduced himself as an officer from the Bengaluru Police.

The fraudsters falsely claimed that the scientist's Aadhaar card, mobile phone number, and bank account had been linked to a human trafficking investigation. They warned him that he was under serious legal scrutiny and convinced him that immediate cooperation was necessary to avoid arrest.

Police said the criminals used fear and psychological pressure to manipulate the elderly victim. Believing the claims to be genuine, he shared several sensitive personal documents with the callers. The fraudsters then persuaded him to transfer Rs 1.1 crore to multiple bank accounts under the pretext of verifying his financial records and clearing his name in the alleged investigation.

Investigators describe the case as a classic example of the growing digital arrest scam, a cybercrime tactic in which fraudsters impersonate police officers, officials from investigative agencies, or government departments to intimidate victims into transferring money. The scams often rely on fabricated criminal allegations, fake arrest warrants, and threats of immediate legal action to create panic.

Following the complaint, Bidhannagar Police launched an extensive investigation that tracked the movement of funds and identified the individuals allegedly involved in the fraud network. The three arrests are considered a major breakthrough, and investigators are now probing whether the accused were part of a larger interstate cybercrime syndicate operating similar scams across the country.

Police are continuing to examine financial transactions, digital evidence, and communication records to trace the remaining members of the network and recover the defrauded money.

Authorities have once again urged citizens, particularly senior citizens, to remain cautious of unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to represent law enforcement agencies. Police advise the public to verify such claims directly with the concerned authorities and never transfer money or share confidential personal information based solely on phone calls or video conferencing instructions.