Kolkata Police Arrest 17 In Cyber Fraud Case Linked To COD Payment Scam
Kolkata Police arrest 17 people in cyber fraud racket misusing Cash on Delivery system to cheat online shoppers.
The Kolkata Police has arrested 17 people, including nine women, in connection with a cyber fraud racket that allegedly exploited the popular Cash on Delivery (CoD) system used in online shopping. The arrests were made after a raid on a call centre operating in the Gariahat area, officials said on Wednesday.
Acting on multiple complaints, the cyber crime unit of Kolkata Police conducted an investigation that led to the exposure of a coordinated fraud network. During the raid, police recovered 43 mobile phones, several SIM cards, laptops, and wireless communication devices believed to have been used in executing the scam. Officials said the operation was part of a wider probe into emerging digital payment frauds targeting online shoppers.
According to investigators, the accused used the Cash on Delivery mechanism to trick customers into making advance payments. Victims ordering products online were contacted by fraudsters posing as delivery agents or company representatives. They were then persuaded, through various excuses, to make payments via QR codes or phone numbers instead of paying in cash upon delivery.
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Police explained that the fraudsters reportedly obtained details of customers placing CoD orders through online platforms. Before genuine delivery personnel could reach the buyers, the scammers would intervene and convince them to transfer money digitally. Once the payment was made, the customers neither received the goods nor could trace the fake delivery agents, who disappeared after receiving the money.
Officials also warned that many victims only realised the fraud after real delivery agents from legitimate companies arrived with the ordered products. By then, the customers had already been cheated, having paid money to fraudulent accounts. Authorities stressed that genuine delivery services do not ask for QR code payments before handing over goods in CoD transactions.
The investigation revealed that a call centre was being used as the operational hub of the racket, where targets were contacted and manipulated into making payments. The Kolkata Police has urged citizens to remain cautious and follow standard CoD procedures, emphasizing that payments should only be made at the time of physical delivery to avoid falling victim to such cyber fraud schemes.
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