Kolkata Police Arrests 66 in Fake Call Centre Racket, Uncovers 100 Mule Bank Accounts

Kolkata Police has arrested 66 people, including 41 women, for allegedly running fake call centres and duping people across the country by posing as representatives of telecom companies, banks and insurance firms. The arrests followed raids on two suspected centres on Rajdanga Main Road under Kasba police station, with investigators now tracing a wider network that allegedly used forged documents and around 100 mule bank accounts to collect money from victims.

Acting on a tip-off, police raided one call centre on September 2, followed by another raid in the same area on Thursday evening. Investigators said the accused created an elaborate setup to convince victims they were dealing with legitimate company representatives. The alleged fraudsters reportedly lured targets with promises of 5G tower installations, lucrative insurance returns and easy loans, before demanding processing fees ranging from ₹90,000 to ₹1.5 lakh.

Police said fake authorisation certificates and other documents were allegedly used to establish credibility, while multiple bank accounts helped route money collected from victims. During the raids, officers seized 71 mobile phones, 13 registers and diaries, nine chargers, two debit cards and ₹16,000 in cash, along with the allegedly forged certificates.

The investigation has also uncovered a link to Patuli, where the racket had reportedly operated earlier. Police said around 100 mule bank accounts were allegedly used to receive money from victims. Investigators are now examining the entire financial trail, including where the funds were transferred and who controlled the accounts.

The discovery comes amid a wider rise in organised cyber-enabled financial fraud in India. Government data cited in recent reporting indicates Indians lost nearly $2.4 billion to alleged cyber fraud in 2025, while authorities have increasingly targeted mule accounts, fake websites and impersonation-based scams.

Police are examining the role of every person arrested and searching for others connected to the network. The seized phones, registers and financial records could help identify additional victims, callers and account holders.

The case also serves as a warning against unsolicited offers promising easy loans, high returns or lucrative telecom opportunities. Authorities urge victims of financial cyber fraud to report incidents immediately through the 1930 cyber-fraud helpline and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, as rapid reporting can improve the chances of tracing or freezing fraudulent transfers.