Post by : Bianca
Haleem
In a startling incident, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee has emerged as the latest high-profile target of cyberfraud, underscoring the threats individuals and public officials encounter. An alarming sum of over Rs 57 lakh was drained from his inactive State Bank of India (SBI) account through illicit transactions.
Representing Serampore in West Bengal, Banerjee voiced significant concern regarding cyber offenses. “If someone like me can fall prey to bank fraud, what can the average person expect? Why isn't the Ministry of Finance establishing an anti-cyber fraud unit?” he questioned.
The MP’s account, dormant for years, was reportedly established between 2001 and 2006 during his time as MLA of Asansol South. Allegedly, cybercriminals used fabricated PAN and Aadhaar cards, manipulating Banerjee’s image to execute the scheme. Numerous transactions quietly withdrew nearly Rs 57 lakh from the account before being noticed.
Upon discovering the dubious activity, the bank promptly filed a report with the Kolkata Police cybercrime department. Banerjee confirmed that SBI has credited the amount back into his parliamentary account, attributing the unauthorized transactions to an internal error.
Investigation efforts are currently underway to ascertain how the scam was executed and to analyze the bank’s internal safeguards to avoid such occurrences in the future. This incident underscores the vulnerability of even experienced public figures to cybercrime, highlighting an urgent need for strengthened protective measures and increased public awareness.
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