Dumka: A Sahibganj businessman was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 1.2 crore by cyber criminals posing as CBI officials who kept him under a two-month “digital arrest” through threats, video calls and a fake courtroom setup.Gautam Chandra Das told police he had saved the money for his daughter’s marriage. In his complaint, Das said the ordeal began in June when he received a call from a man identifying himself as Pradeep Singh, a senior CBI officer.The caller allegedly claimed that a criminal case had been registered against Das and that he faced arrest and imprisonment. Police said the fraudsters kept him under constant psychological pressure through video calls, claimed he was under surveillance and even created a fake courtroom online where he was “produced” before a fictitious CBI court three times.They allegedly told him he could avoid legal action, fines and imprisonment by transferring money to bank accounts specified by them. Under pressure, Das made around 10 RTGS transactions totaling nearly Rs 1.2 crore.Headquarters DSP and cyber cell nodal officer Ravikant Saw said, “Preliminary inquiry has revealed around 10 RTGS transactions involving nearly Rs 1.2 crore. The first major transfer of Rs 50 lakh was made on Jun 20, while the last transaction of Rs 5 lakh took place on Aug 24.”Das approached police on Aug 31 after exhausting his funds and suspecting fraud.Sahibganj SP Amit Kumar Singh formed a special investigation team headed by Saw. Police are tracing bank accounts, mobile numbers and the transaction trail.“We have recovered Rs 28 lakh so far and have tracked the group involved in the fraud. Efforts are underway to recover the remaining amount and arrest the accused. The transaction trail and other technical evidence are being examined to identify all those involved,” SP said.
