Fake call centres promising low-interest loans busted in Kolkata; 10 held

Kolkata, July 12 (IANS) Kolkata Police have busted fake call centres in the city and arrested 10 people for allegedly defrauding people by posing as representatives of reputed companies and promising loans. A senior police officer said on Sunday that a large number of mobile phones, SIM cards and a laptop were recovered from them.

According to the police, people were being cheated repeatedly on the pretext of securing quick loans at low interest rates.

A total of 10 alleged fraudsters associated with the racket were arrested from the Bowbazar and Patulia areas of Kolkata in a joint operation conducted by Metiabruz Police Station and the Cyber Cell of the Port Division of Kolkata Police.

According to the police, a woman residing within the jurisdiction of Metiabruz Police Station recently lodged a complaint. The complainant alleged that she was lured with the promise of a loan of Rs 2.18 lakh after the fraudsters introduced themselves as employees of ‘Tata Capital Finance’.

To gain her trust, the fraudsters even created fake Tata Capital documents and a fake demand draft. They then demanded money in the name of processing fees, insurance charges and documentation fees. Falling into the trap, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 25,450 in instalments. However, she did not receive the promised loan. Realising that she had been cheated, the woman lodged a complaint with the police.

The Cyber Cell of the Port Division used technical surveillance during the investigation and traced the location of the accused. Thereafter, a special team comprising officers from Metiabruz Police Station and the Cyber Cell was formed.

On July 9, investigators simultaneously searched two separate premises under the jurisdiction of Bowbazar Police Station, where two fake call centres operating in the name of providing loans were found. Nine persons were arrested from the spot. However, the police did not disclose the arrests at that time in the interest of the ongoing investigation.

During questioning, the arrested accused allegedly revealed that the network extended further. Acting on their disclosures, another accused, identified as Sudhir Mahato, was arrested from the Patuli Police Station area on Saturday, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 10.

Police are questioning the accused to ascertain who else is associated with the racket and how many people have been duped. A total of 48 keypad mobile phones, one smartphone, one laptop, six SIM cards, two fake rubber stamps and several phone numbers have been recovered from the accused. Further investigation is underway to identify other persons involved in the racket.

–IANS

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