Kolkata: What began as a routine search for a rented home in Delhi ended in a cyber fraud for the son of a former Kolkata Police Commissioner and current Director of Security, after ₹30,000 was siphoned off through an unauthorised UPI transaction. The incident has triggered an inter-state probe, with Kolkata Police’s cyber crime unit arresting one accused from Odisha while stepping up efforts to trace two suspects based in Delhi.
According to police sources, the complainant, Piyush Verma, lodged a formal complaint at the cyber crime police station in Lalbazar on February 2, stating that ₹30,000 had been debited from his bank account without his consent. Although the transaction took place in Delhi, Verma travelled to Kolkata to register the case.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that Verma had been searching for a rental flat through online platforms when he was contacted by a person posing as a property owner or broker. The caller sought a small advance to “block” the flat. Verma made the payment via UPI, but within minutes received an alert of an unauthorised debit of ₹30,000 from his account.
Using digital transaction records and banking trails, the cyber crime team tracked the money flow and arrested Odisha resident Rakesh Pradhan. During questioning, Pradhan allegedly disclosed that his bank account had been used by two Delhi-based men — identified as Sanjay and Akshay — to route the fraud proceeds.
Police officials said Pradhan has been remanded to judicial custody, while teams are conducting raids in Delhi to apprehend the remaining suspects. Investigators are also examining whether the trio is part of a larger network targeting house-hunters through classified websites and property portals.
A senior officer said the accused attempted to conceal the money trail by using mule accounts and layered transactions. “Forensic analysis of mobile devices, IP addresses and financial records is underway. More arrests cannot be ruled out,” the officer added.
The case highlights a growing urban cyber fraud pattern in which scammers impersonate landlords or brokers, collect advance payments and then disappear after siphoning off funds through multiple accounts. Officials noted that working professionals and people relocating to new cities are increasingly being targeted, with fraudsters exploiting urgency and trust during rental negotiations.
With cyber fraud complaints on the rise, Kolkata Police recently operationalised a 24-hour cyber crime helpline. Citizens can report suspicious transactions, online cheating or identity theft on the toll-free number 1800-3450066.
Police have urged the public to independently verify property listings, avoid paying advances to unknown individuals and never share OTPs or banking credentials. Officers said prompt reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent accounts and recovering stolen money.
Meanwhile, coordination is underway with Delhi and Odisha police to piece together the entire fraud chain and identify other possible victims. Investigators believe the gang may have used similar tactics in multiple cases across cities.
“Digital payments have made life easier, but they also demand greater vigilance. Most frauds succeed by creating a false sense of urgency. Taking a few minutes to verify details can prevent substantial financial losses,” an officer said.
The investigation is ongoing.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
