Bank deputy manager arrested in Rs. 91 lakh cyber fraud case in Siliguri

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: A deputy branch manager of a private bank here has been arrested in connection with an alleged cyber fraud involving more than Rs. 91 lakh.

The accused, identified as Anirban Sikdar (36), was arrested from the bank's Burdwan Road office by Pradhan Nagar Police following an investigation into suspicious banking transactions linked to the case.

According to police sources, Sikdar allegedly facilitated the opening of a bank account in the name of a 19-year-old woman using a purportedly fake address in the Samar Nagar area. Investigators suspect that the account was subsequently used to channel money obtained through cyber fraud.

The investigation gathered momentum following the arrest of the woman, identified as Manisha Mandal, on October 26 under Operation Cyber Prahar. During her police remand, investigators reportedly obtained information pointing to the alleged involvement of the bank official.

Police said the account was opened allegedly at the request of a third person without proper verification of the identity documents and address.

Investigators found that Rs. 91,21,808 was transferred into the account just a day after it was opened. The money was subsequently withdrawn and the account closed, they said.

At the time of opening the account, Sikdar was reportedly posted at the bank's Sevoke Road branch. He was later transferred to its main branch at the Golden Plaza building on Burdwan Road following his promotion as deputy branch manager.

The wider investigation pertains to an alleged cyber fraud racket in which victims were reportedly targeted through video calls on social media platforms and blackmailed into transferring money.

The case originated from a complaint lodged on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal in September. After nearly a month of investigation, police detected suspicious transactions amounting to approximately Rs. 91.21 lakh, leading to the arrest of Mandal and subsequently the bank official.

Police have registered a case over the alleged fraudulent opening of the bank account and its suspected links to the cyber fraud network.

Investigators are examining the money trail and the possible involvement of other persons in the racket. Police are also expected to seek Sikdar's remand for further interrogation.

The probe is underway to ascertain whether additional bank accounts were used to route or withdraw the proceeds of the alleged fraud.