Cybercrooks Drain Rs 56 Lakh from TMC MP's Bank Account

In a startling incident of cyber fraud, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Kalyan Banerjee has allegedly been defrauded of ₹56 lakh from a bank account linked to his previous tenure as an MLA. The incident has raised concerns about the security of dormant accounts and the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals.

According to sources, the fraud was detected by the bank authorities themselves, who then filed a complaint with the Kolkata Police cybercrime department. The account in question was opened between 2001 and 2006 when Banerjee served as the MLA of Asansol South. It was a joint account held by several legislators at the State Bank of India (SBI) legislative assembly sub-branch, which falls under the SBI High Court branch.

The modus operandi of the cybercriminals involved exploiting the dormant account. Reportedly, they used a forged KYC (Know Your Customer) to gain access to the account. It has been reported that the fraudsters used Banerjee's photo and mobile number to transfer ₹56 lakh through the dormant account, subsequently withdrawing the entire sum. Banerjee's primary account is currently with SBI's Kalighat branch. The MP stated that the manager of the High Court branch informed him about the fraudulent activity on Thursday.

The Kolkata Police cybercrime department has initiated an investigation into the matter. Authorities are trying to ascertain how the fraudsters obtained Banerjee's personal information and managed to create a fake KYC to access the account. They are also investigating the possibility of an inside job, examining whether any bank employees were involved in the fraud.

This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the vulnerability of bank accounts, particularly those that are dormant. Experts advise individuals to regularly check their bank statements and keep their KYC information updated to prevent such fraudulent activities. They also recommend activating SMS alerts for all transactions to immediately detect any unauthorized activity. Banks are also urged to strengthen their security measures and implement stricter verification processes to prevent fraudsters from accessing dormant accounts.

The incident involving MP Kalyan Banerjee serves as a stark reminder of the need for increased vigilance and awareness regarding cyber fraud. As investigations continue, it is hoped that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.