In a commendable display of swift action and efficiency, the Kolkata Police and Bengal Police collaborated to recover over Rs 1 crore that had been lost to various cyber frauds in the state over the past two months. The Bengal Police managed to retrieve approximately Rs 63 lakh, with Rs 33 lakh being returned within the last couple of weeks. The remainder of the recovered amount was facilitated by the Kolkata Police.

Sources within the police department revealed that the successful retrieval of the lost funds was largely attributed to the timely reporting of the cyber crimes. While several arrests are still pending in connection with these cases, law enforcement officials were able to prevent the money from reaching the hands of cyber criminals.

One notable instance of the restored funds involved around Rs 1 lakh belonging to a senior officer of the South Eastern Railways. The officer recounted how his account was targeted in two phishing attempts using a compromised credit card. Upon reporting the matter to the Port Cyber Cell, prompt action was taken, resulting in the swift return of the money to his account within a matter of days.

Another case highlighted the recovery of an additional Rs 1 lakh that had been extorted from a resident of the Jadavpur division through digital means. The victim, who runs an organic farming firm, fell victim to a scam in April, losing Rs 3.9 lakh after being coerced under the guise of threats from the CBI and the Narcotics Control Bureau.

These successful recoveries are part of a concerted effort by law enforcement to combat digital frauds related to areas such as digital arrest, KYC, loan scams, and gaming app frauds following a nationwide initiative in this regard. Investigators are diligently reviewing older cases to establish crucial links, while also exchanging data with counterparts in other states.

Both state and city police teams conducted raids at approximately 17 locations across the country in pursuit of the culprits involved in these cyber frauds. The operations resulted in significant arrests not only in Bengal but also in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and some southern regions, as confirmed by sources from Lalbazar and Bhawani Bhawan.

The proactive efforts of the Kolkata Police and Bengal Police in recovering the substantial sum lost to cyber fraud are a testament to their commitment to combating digital crimes and protecting the financial interests of citizens. By leveraging technology and collaboration, law enforcement agencies are making significant strides in curbing the prevalence of cyber fraud and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.

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