Kolkata Police bust 'Aadhaar Enabled Payment System' fraud ring, key perpetrators arrested

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In a significant development, the Bank Fraud Section of the Kolkata Police's Detective Department (DD) has made crucial arrests related to an Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS) fraud case, exposing a complex criminal conspiracy involving multiple instances.

Conducted under the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station, the investigation has unveiled intricate details of the fraud scheme. The culprits acquired confidential data and duplicated fingerprints to illicitly withdraw approximately Rs. 28,900 from a victim's bank account.

The complainant, identified as Tushar Kanti Mukherjee (46), residing in Baguiati, Kolkata, reported the incident.

The unidentified individuals behind this criminal conspiracy masqueraded as legitimate bank account holders, employing deceptive strategies to gain access to the victim's private information, including the Aadhaar card number linked to the bank account.

Following this, the wrongdoers forged and replicated the victim's fingerprint impressions. Armed with this electronic information, they carried out unauthorized transactions via the AEPS, causing financial harm to the complainant while benefiting themselves.

The charges filed against the perpetrators encompass various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 120B/419/420/467/468/471.

A specialized team was constituted to investigate several recent AEPS fraud cases. Technical analysis pinpointed that the criminal syndicate operated remotely from two distinct locations - Islampore, West Bengal, and Araria, Bihar - both closely situated based on their geographical coordinates.

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In response, the Bank Fraud Section's Detective Department, Kolkata Police, executed a well-planned raid in these regions, leading to the apprehension of two individuals deeply involved in the illicit operation.

These individuals were implicated in as many as six cases reported to the authorities.

Moktar Alam (23), son of Idris Ali and a resident of Burijagir, Goalgach, Raman, Islampore, Uttar Dinajpur, was arrested on September 27 in Islampore. He is the proprietor of the Common Service Point (CSP) used for fraudulent transactions.

Rousan Ali (22), son of Naimul Hoque and residing in Malingaon, New Mahadevpore, PO. Laxmipore Chopra, Uttar Dinajpore, PIN-733207, was apprehended on September 27 in Chopra. He was responsible for fabricating counterfeit fingerprints used to withdraw funds from the victim's bank account.

The investigation has exposed that the electronic data employed in these fraudulent activities was sourced from various public domains and websites, emphasizing the critical need to safeguard sensitive personal information.

Both arrested individuals were presented before the Learned Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) of Calcutta and have been granted police custody until October 7.

This breakthrough in the case brings authorities closer to unraveling the full scope of this intricate fraud operation. (ANI)