Cyber Fraud Hits Kolkata Seniors Hard: Rs 482 Crore Lost in 2 Years

A staggering Rs 482 crore has been lost to cyber fraud in Kolkata over the past two years, with senior citizens accounting for a whopping 80% of the victims. The alarming trend has prompted the police to launch a special initiative to combat the menace.According to officials, the losses amounted to Rs 274 crore in 2024 and Rs 208 crore in 2025.

Phishing, online banking scams, and social engineering tactics are the most common methods used by fraudsters to dupe people of their hard-earned money.To tackle the issue, the police have introduced ‘Digital Prahari’, a 24/7 helpline (1800-345-0066 or 1930) that provides guidance to victims and has a blocking cell to prevent further financial losses.

A monthly newsletter, ‘cyber pass’, has also been launched to educate citizens about the latest scams and safety measures.The police are urging citizens, especially senior citizens, to be vigilant while conducting online transactions and to report any suspicious activity immediately.