Cyber fraudster involved in 17 cases arrested from Kolkata for cheating victims of Rs 50L

A major cyber fraud involving Rs 50 lakh has come to light, in which victims were cheated under the guise of investment opportunities. The accused, identified as Arbind Pal, has been arrested from Kolkata in connection with the case.

According to allegations, the accused created WhatsApp groups and encouraged people to open accounts, promising high returns on investments. Through these groups, he allegedly collected money and cheated victims of nearly Rs 50 lakh.

Senior Citizens Targeted

Investigations have revealed that the fraudster primarily targeted retired senior citizens. By exploiting their trust and financial security, the accused allegedly convinced them to invest in fake schemes.

Also Read: Online trading scam: Crime Branch arrests cyber fraudster from Bhubaneswar

Lucrative Schemes Used as Bait

The accused reportedly circulated advertisements of various attractive investment schemes to lure victims. These schemes were presented as safe and profitable, leading many to fall into the trap.

“The money transferred by the accused was routed through six different bank accounts located across various states, including Gujarat and Maharashtra. In the first layer of transactions, around Rs 1 lakh was deposited into the initial beneficiary account. Victims were instructed to open trading accounts and deposit money into account numbers provided by the accused. These accounts are commonly referred to as mule accounts. So far, 17 cases have been registered against the accused,” said Sushmita Das, Superintendent of Police (Cyber).

The arrest has highlighted the growing threat of cyber fraud targeting vulnerable groups, especially senior citizens. Police have urged people to remain cautious while investing online and to verify the authenticity of schemes before transferring money.