A respected endocrinologist in Kolkata’s Kasba area has filed an FIR accusing a scamster named Anirban Ghosh and several accomplices of duping him out of INR 25 crore over a period of 13 years using elaborate financial ruses and blackmail, authorities said Monday.
In the complaint lodged at Kasba police station, the doctor said Ghosh first approached him years ago, posing as a senior official from a public sector bank. Over time, Ghosh and his associates systematically tricked the doctor using forged documents, impersonation tactics, and references to non-existent Reserve Bank of India (RBI) audits.
The fraud took a dramatic turn when the perpetrators claimed the doctor had amassed gains from cryptocurrency investments. They demanded what they described as “tax payments” for these gains — a red flag that prompted the doctor to grow suspicious and report the matter to authorities for the first time.
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Fake Documents, Real Losses
According to investigators, Ghosh deployed a multi-pronged approach: he impersonated bank officers, provided fake RBI notifications, and referenced cryptocurrency earnings that the doctor never earned. This manipulated portrayal of legitimacy forced the doctor into making suspicious transfers over the years.
These transactions siphoned off a staggering INR 25 crore in total — an average of almost ₹2 crore per year. The financial loss underscores the trust-based nature of the scam; the doctor’s professional stature and lack of regulatory familiarity with crypto led to his vulnerability.
Crypto Shadow in a Decade-Long Scheme
What ultimately exposed the ruse, the doctor told police, was the demand for “crypto tax.” Cryptocurrency remains a grey area in Indian regulation, and any unsolicited tax demands are considered suspicious. This prompted the doctor to seek legal intervention, prompting the FIR.
Police are now examining the forged documents, bank accounts used in the transactions, and communication channels (including WhatsApp records) that facilitated the scam. No arrests have been made yet, but officials are tracing funds and preparing to involve cybercrime teams.
The incident highlights the growing complexity of financial fraud entwined with cryptocurrency claims and bank impersonation. Scammers exploit regulatory ambiguity and professional trust, extending their schemes over long periods. Experts say increasing cyber vigilance, formal documentation verification, and public awareness are critical in preventing similar frauds.
