Kolkata Police have sounded an alert over a new financial scam in which unsuspecting citizens are being drawn into fraud cases by sharing their bank account details with criminals. The scheme, described as “bank account rental fraud,” involves fraudsters using borrowed or stolen personal details to obtain loans under false pretences, while the victims end up being implicated as defaulters.
According to officials, the scam has surfaced across various sections of society, with housewives and young professionals among those falling victim. Police said the fraudsters lure individuals with promises of easy loans and then manipulate their details to access funds from lending companies. Once the loans are disbursed, the fraudsters disappear, leaving the liability in the name of the person whose details were used.
One such case emerged in south Kolkata’s Tollygunge, where a woman identified as Rita Vaidya Sengupta was arrested after her details were linked to a fraudulent loan of ₹5 lakh. Investigators said fake documents were prepared in her name to secure the loan, but she was unaware of the transaction. When repayment was not made, a complaint was lodged with the police, resulting in her arrest by the Detective Branch.
In another instance, Imran Ansari from Banshdroni also fell prey to the scheme. His bank account details were used to obtain a loan, with the case registered in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Police, assisted by their Kolkata counterparts, conducted a raid at his residence and detained him, even though he claimed no knowledge of the fraud.
Senior officers confirmed that in both cases the real culprits have yet to be identified, and investigations point to a mastermind orchestrating the scheme. The fraud network reportedly fabricates supporting documents such as payslips to bolster loan applications and redirect funds into accounts controlled by the perpetrators. Meanwhile, the victims face charges of default, unaware that their personal information has been misused.
“The fraudsters are creating layers of deception by using individuals’ bank accounts and forged paperwork. While the victims believe they are helping someone or applying for assistance, their details are being exploited for loans that they never actually receive,” an officer explained.
Police believe that the racket may be operating across multiple states, with victims in Kolkata being tied to cases filed in other jurisdictions, complicating enforcement efforts. The cross-border nature of the fraud between states highlights the scale and organisation behind the scheme.
The Detective Branch has issued a strong advisory urging residents not to disclose bank account information, including numbers, identification documents, or access credentials, to any third party. Authorities stressed that even seemingly minor details can be exploited by organised networks to create false loan applications and implicate unsuspecting individuals.
While enforcement agencies continue their search for the mastermind, officers said public awareness is the most effective defence against such frauds. Citizens were reminded that financial institutions never ask for account information informally, and any request for such data should be treated with suspicion.
The cases underscore a broader challenge of financial fraud in India, where criminals are increasingly turning to sophisticated methods to exploit gaps in digital and lending systems. For ordinary citizens, the consequences can be devastating, from legal action and arrest to long-term damage to financial credibility.
Police reiterated that the public should report any suspicious approaches or attempts to solicit bank details immediately to their nearest police station. They added that vigilance and caution remain the strongest tools to prevent becoming the next victim of account rental fraud.
