Kolkata Doctor Duped of ₹25 Crore Over 13 Years by Fake Bank Officials Using Forged RBI Documents; Cryptocurrency ‘Tax’ Demand Exposes Scam
KOLKATA: A senior endocrinologist from Kasba has filed a police complaint alleging that he was defrauded of nearly ₹25 crore over a span of 13 years by a group posing as public sector bank officials, using forged documents, fake identities, and elaborate financial deception. The fraud came to light earlier this year after the doctor received a suspicious demand for “cryptocurrency tax.”
The main accused, Anirban Ghosh, allegedly posed as a senior officer of a public sector bank’s Jeevan Deep branch when he first approached the doctor at his hospital in 2013. He convinced the doctor to invest in multiple life insurance policies, with many transactions conducted in cash—often without official receipts.
By 2015, the scam expanded when Ghosh introduced the doctor to another man, Arun Bhattacharya, who falsely claimed to be the Chief General Manager of the bank’s eastern zone. Together, they offered high-value financial services, including loan foreclosures, property investments, and even cryptocurrency-related opportunities.
Over the years, the doctor was persuaded to make repeated payments—via both bank transfers and cash—for what he was led to believe were legitimate investment and real estate deals. Forged documents, including fake RBI letters and official-looking certificates from government agencies, were regularly provided to maintain the illusion.
The scam unraveled on January 31, 2025, when the doctor received a letter claiming he had investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum worth over $1.3 million, and was required to pay a “tax” of ₹20,07,140 to withdraw the funds. He paid the amount to Ghosh but grew suspicious and sought legal advice after noticing typographical and formatting errors in the alleged RBI letter—red flags that suggested it was fake.
Further scrutiny revealed that the doctor had never authorized any cryptocurrency investments, nor had he ever been informed of such transactions. The discovery prompted him to approach authorities and file a formal complaint.
The case has highlighted the sophistication of long-term financial scams, especially those that exploit trust and professional networks. It also underscores the need for greater awareness and verification, even among well-educated professionals, when it comes to personal financial dealings.
An investigation is currently underway.
