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Kolkata police busts fake call centre racket, social media reacts as six arrested

A major cyber fraud racket operating as a fake call centre was busted by the Kolkata Police

By Sohini Bhattacharyya

Apr 25, 2026 00:21 IST

The Cyber Crime Wing of Kolkata Police identified suspicious activity linked to several mobile numbers following intelligence inputs. Technical analysis and field verification confirmed the existence of a fraudulent call centre targeting unsuspecting citizens through deceptive means.

Raid conducted

After sustained surveillance, a raid was carried out on April 23, 2026, in the Sammilani Park area. Authorities uncovered an operational fake call centre setup, leading to immediate action and sealing of the premises for further investigation.

The accused reportedly posed as courier service executives, misleading victims by claiming issues with deliveries. They sent malicious links via messaging platforms like WhatsApp. Once clicked, these links compromised users’ devices, enabling fraudsters to access banking details and carry out unauthorized transactions. The siphoned money was routed through mule accounts and withdrawn via ATMs and other channels.

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Arrests made

Six individuals were arrested during the operation. Police seized 16 mobile phones, eight debit cards, and three laptops, which are believed to have been used in executing the cyber fraud. These materials are expected to aid further investigation into the scale of the racket.

Public reaction on social media

The crackdown drew significant attention online, with many praising the swift action by Kolkata Police. Some users described it as an “excellent job,” appreciating the efforts to curb rising cybercrime.

However, a section of users questioned why the identities of the accused were not disclosed. Comments reflected demands for greater transparency, with some asking for the names to be made public. Others also raised concerns about suspects’ faces being concealed, expressing strong opinions about accountability in such cases.

The mixed reactions highlight both public support for law enforcement and growing awareness around cybercrime issues.

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Advisory issued for citizens

Police urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on suspicious links received via SMS or messaging platforms. They also advised verifying calls from unknown sources claiming to be service providers and warned against sharing personal or banking details.

Authorities confirmed that further investigation is underway to identify additional links and track financial transactions associated with the racket. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat cyber fraud and protect citizens from digital threats.

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