Kolkata, 23 July (H.S.) -
The Kolkata Police have uncovered an inter-state online fraud racket operating out of Howrah and arrested seven individuals in connection with the case. Among those apprehended are three men from Bhadrak district in Odisha who were recently staying at a hotel in Howrah. A significant number of ATM cards, Aadhaar cards, and mobile phones have been seized from their possession.
According to a statement issued by the office of the Howrah Police Commissionerate on Wednesday, the operation began on Tuesday when Sub-Inspector Palden Bhutia of the Garden Reach Police Station noticed a suspicious vehicle on Taratala Road. Upon stopping the vehicle, police discovered inconsistencies in the statements of the four occupants. A subsequent search of the car led to the recovery of a bag containing several ATM cards.
The four individuals — Sahinur Rahman Fakir, Sheikh Rahul, Sheikh Asfaq, and Ashiq Mistry — all residents of the Santoshpur area in South Kolkata, were taken into custody. During their interrogation, police obtained information about three more suspects.
Acting on this lead, a police team apprehended S.K. Shahid Qadri, S.K. Alimuddin, and S.K. Firoz near a mall in Shibpur, Howrah. All three are residents of Bhadrak district in Odisha and were staying at a hotel in the Golabari area of Howrah. A search of their hotel room yielded additional ATM cards, Aadhaar cards, and mobile phones.
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Bank Accounts Rented for Fraudulent Transactions
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused rented bank accounts from individuals to transfer money acquired through online fraud. The stolen funds were then withdrawn using ATMs, while the Aadhaar and ATM cards were used to conceal identities and facilitate cash withdrawals.
Police are now probing the reasons behind the Odisha-based suspects’ presence in Kolkata and Howrah. Investigators are exploring whether a larger fraud operation was being planned in the region and whether the suspects were collaborating with local operatives.
Kolkata Police believe the gang may be linked to similar online fraud cases across various parts of the country. Given the gravity of the case, the investigation has been widened to uncover the full extent of the racket’s operations.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
