Man held by Cyber Crime police for duping of Rs 1.4L

Kolkata: A person identified as Nepal Mondal of Swarupnagar in North 24-Parganas has been arrested at the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime police station for allegedly duping a person in the name of providing companions for friendship.

The complainant identified as Rafiqul Islam of Kaliachak in Malda was duped during the year 2017. On September 12 in 2017, Islam approached the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime police station and stated that he has been duped of Rs 1.4 lakh by some people. He informed he had received some SMS from a bulk SMS service provider's number stating that they would arrange companions for friendship. It was mentioned in the SMS that the customer will also get the chance to earn good amount of money. Also, a website address was also provided (www.todayfriendship.com).

Islam contacted on the mobile number given in the SMS. According to Islam, a lady picked up his call and identified herself as Mini. She provided Islam another mobile number on which he used to call. He alleged that after he was convinced about the friendship, the said woman allegedly asked Islam to provide money, unless she will not interact.

Initially Islam gave some money to a bank account number, which was given by the woman. But as the process continued in phases, Islam credited Rs 1.4 lakh total in three phases. Later, he realised that he has been duped and approached the police.

As Islam did not called the woman for quite a few days, the accused persons smelled something fishy and switched off all the mobile phones. Thus, the police was not able to trace them since the complaint was lodged. But, all the mobile numbers were being placed in the tracking system. A few days ago, police officers saw that a mobile handset has been activated. Immediately while searching for the address, sleuths came up with Mondal's name. On Wednesday, Mondal was arrested from his home in Swarupnagar.