Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee Loses Rs 55 Lakh in Sophisticated Online Banking Fraud

TMC's Kalyan Banerjee has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing approximately Rs 55 lakh in an unauthorized online transaction in West Bengal.

Kolkata:

Four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee has reportedly been defrauded of Rs 55 lakh through an online financial scam in West Bengal.

Banerjee, who previously served as the Trinamool Congress' chief whip in Lok Sabha, maintained a bank account with State Bank of India (SBI) where his salary was deposited during his tenure as a member of the West Bengal Assembly between 2001 and 2006. During this period, he served as a Trinamool Congress legislator representing the Asansol (Dakshin) constituency, formerly part of undivided Burdwan district and now within West Burdwan district.

Due to extended inactivity, the account had become dormant over time.

Recently, Banerjee discovered that Rs 55 lakh had been transferred from his personal account at SBI's Kalighat branch to this dormant account. Subsequently, the entire amount was debited from the dormant account without his authorization.

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Upon discovering the fraud, Banerjee immediately alerted SBI authorities, who have filed a formal complaint with the cybercrime division of Kolkata Police. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

"The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into this matter. We are communicating with bank officials and working to track down the perpetrators. Simultaneously, the bank is examining whether any internal lapses contributed to this incident," confirmed an official from the Kolkata Police.

Reports indicate that the fraudsters utilized Banerjee's photograph and mobile number to execute this financial deception.

The four-time Lok Sabha member has declined to comment publicly on the situation.

"Banerjee remains optimistic that law enforcement will resolve this case promptly and recover his funds," revealed a Trinamool Congress leader close to Banerjee.