Kolkata Senior Citizen Loses ₹2.6 Lakh After Facebook Friendship Turns Costly
Facebook Friendship Turns Fraudulent: Kolkata Man Loses ₹2.6 Lakh After Kashmir Trip
In a disturbing incident highlighting the growing risks of digital relationships and online fraud, a 73-year-old man from Kestopur, Kolkata, has alleged that he was cheated out of ₹2.6 lakh by a woman he met on Facebook. The two had formed a virtual bond that led to a joint vacation in Kashmir — which ultimately ended in betrayal and a police investigation.
From Friendship to Fraud: How It Unfolded
According to the complaint filed at Baguiati Police Station, the elderly man connected with a middle-aged woman on Facebook earlier this year. Their online chats soon turned personal, with the duo deciding to embark on a trip to Kashmir together starting April 1, 2025.
The man, due to his age, asked the woman to accompany him and carry his handbag, which contained his State Bank of India (SBI) debit card. “She came home to pick me up for the trip, and I entrusted her with my handbag,” the man noted in his complaint.
The two returned from Kashmir on April 9. Just a few days later, on April 14, the man’s son alerted him after receiving SMS notifications of several unauthorized withdrawals from their joint bank account. A total of ₹2,59,500 had been withdrawn over multiple transactions between April 10 and April 14.
Card Swapped, Identity Faked
On inspecting his belongings, the victim discovered that his original SBI debit card had been swapped with another card from a different bank. Attempts to contact the woman proved futile — her phone was switched off, and her Facebook account had been deactivated.
Police suspect the woman used a fake identity and address. According to preliminary findings, she is believed to be married and a resident of Agarpara, a suburban area near Kolkata. “The man told us he had fallen ill in Kashmir and shared his debit card PIN with the woman during the trip,” said a senior officer from the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.
Further ATM withdrawals were traced to Sodepur and Agarpara post-return, suggesting premeditation and use of multiple locations to evade detection.
Digital Clues and Investigation Underway
A case has been registered under IPC sections related to cheating and criminal breach of trust. Police have reached out to Facebook for the suspect’s IP address and login history. Forensic analysis of ATM surveillance footage and digital transaction trails is underway.
The case serves as yet another cautionary tale amid rising incidents of romance scams, particularly targeting senior citizens via social media platforms.
Police Advisory: Online Friendships Come with Risks
Kolkata Police have issued a renewed advisory urging the public, especially elderly citizens, to exercise extreme caution when interacting with strangers online.
“Never share your debit or credit card details, PINs, passwords, or hand over your financial belongings to anyone — even if they appear trustworthy. This incident is an unfortunate reminder that trust in digital relationships must be built with caution,” a senior officer said.
The Bigger Picture: Surge in Online Scams
According to recent data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, cases involving romance and trust-based fraud have seen a spike, especially post-pandemic when digital engagement among older adults increased.
Common tactics used by scammers include:
- Creating fake social media profiles
- Gaining trust through emotional manipulation
- Planning in-person meetups to facilitate theft
- Using fake identity documents
- Withdrawing money in small amounts to avoid suspicion