Kolkata – Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and four-time Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee has reportedly fallen victim to a major cyber fraud, after hackers gained access to his inactive State Bank of India (SBI) account using forged KYC documents and siphoned off over ₹55 lakh.
The incident came to light when Banerjee noticed that a large amount had been transferred from his active personal account — held at SBI’s Kalighat branch in Kolkata — to an old, dormant account dating back to his tenure as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) between 2001 and 2006. The fraudsters then moved the funds through a series of accounts and used ATM withdrawals and jewelry purchases to drain the balance.
Forgery and Account Takeover
According to SBI’s official complaint, the perpetrators created fake PAN and Aadhaar cards in Banerjee’s name, using another person’s photograph. Using these forged documents, they successfully updated the Know Your Customer (KYC) details of the dormant account on October 28, 2025, and simultaneously changed the registered mobile number linked to the account.
Once control was established, they executed unauthorized transactions amounting to ₹56.39 lakh — effectively wiping out the entire balance from the linked account network.
Bank and Police Investigation Underway
SBI has launched an internal investigation, handing over all KYC records and transaction details to the Cyber Crime Division of the Kolkata Police.
Police sources confirmed that the inquiry is ongoing and efforts are underway to trace the flow of funds across multiple bank accounts.
A senior police officer stated:
“We are examining the bank’s internal security protocols and tracking the destination accounts that received the siphoned amount.”
An SBI spokesperson added that the bank is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities and has already initiated steps to strengthen verification checks for reactivation of dormant accounts.
Victim’s Response
A close aide of Banerjee told reporters that the MP was “deeply concerned” about the breach and hoped that the perpetrators would be apprehended soon.
“He has full faith in the investigation process and expects the recovery of the defrauded amount,” the aide said.
Security Gaps and Wider Implications
The case has once again highlighted critical vulnerabilities in India’s digital banking and KYC verification ecosystem. Experts say fraudsters are increasingly targeting inactive or dormant accounts, using forged identity proofs to gain access and execute large-value transfers without triggering immediate suspicion.
Cybersecurity analysts warn that the trend of reactivating dormant accounts for financial crimes is emerging as a new threat vector in India’s digital finance landscape.
“This case shows how procedural gaps — especially in document authentication and mobile number verification — can be exploited even within major banks,” said a digital security expert.
Key Facts
The key facts of the case are as follows-
- Fake PAN and Aadhaar used to update KYC records
- Dormant SBI account reactivated without owner’s knowledge
- ₹56.39 lakh siphoned via multiple transfers and ATM withdrawals
- SBI and Kolkata Police conducting a joint probe
The Bottom Line
The cyber heist involving a senior parliamentarian underscores a sobering reality — even high-profile public figures are not immune to digital financial fraud. As India accelerates toward a fully digital banking ecosystem, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust KYC protocols, multi-layer verification, and stricter monitoring of dormant accounts.
