Trinamool Congress leader and Serampore MP Kalyan Banerjee has reportedly fallen victim to a major case of cyber fraud, losing nearly Rs 55 lakh after fraudsters allegedly siphoned off funds using a dormant bank account opened in his name years ago.
According to sources, the account in question was opened in the Assembly Sub-branch of State Bank of India (SBI) between 2001 and 2006, when Banerjee was an MLA from Asansol South. The account had remained dormant for years due to a lack of transactions. However, cybercriminals allegedly reactivated and exploited it to embezzle the large sum.
The MP claimed that around Rs 55 lakh mysteriously disappeared from his main account at SBI’s Kalighat branch, and later investigation revealed that the money had been transferred to the dormant account using forged documents, including a fake photograph and mobile number. From there, the entire amount was reportedly withdrawn by unknown individuals.
Following the discovery, SBI authorities lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Department of Kolkata Police, which has since launched a full-scale investigation.
A senior Kolkata Police official said, “The entire incident is being investigated thoroughly. We are in contact with the bank officials, and efforts are on to identify those behind the fraud.”
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Meanwhile, the bank is conducting an internal probe to determine if any security lapses within the system enabled the fraudsters to manipulate the dormant account. Sources close to Banerjee said he has expressed hope that the culprits will be caught soon and that the lost funds will be recovered.
Sources at Lalbazar police headquarters confirmed that investigators may also question Banerjee and officials of the concerned bank if necessary as the investigation progresses.
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