Malda Resident Arrested in Connection with Tablet Scam

KalimNews, Siliguri, November 29, 2024: The Siliguri Metropolitan Police have arrested Manoj Chowdhury, a resident of Baishnabnagar in Malda, in connection with the ongoing tablet scam. Chowdhury, who was operating a Customer Service Point (CSP) at a local bank, was taken into custody following a complaint lodged at the New Jalpaiguri Police Station. He was produced before a Siliguri court today.

The arrest comes after a series of complaints were filed by students who reported not receiving the government-allocated funds meant for purchasing educational tablets. According to police officials, over 40 students were affected by the misappropriation of funds.

Siliguri Cyber Crime Police, who have been investigating the case for several days, have identified Chowdhury as a key figure in the scam. He allegedly exploited his position at the CSP to withdraw funds without informing the account holders. Authorities say that Chowdhury expanded his fraudulent activities by hacking into multiple bank accounts, diverting funds meant for students’ tablets. With these latest arrests, authorities have confirmed that at least eight individuals have now been detained in connection with the scam. 

Investigations suggest that hackers may have been using different bank accounts, possibly rented out by unsuspecting individuals, to facilitate the illicit fund transfers. The police are now working to determine the extent of the scam and how many others may have been involved.

This arrest follows a series of previous detentions in Siliguri and surrounding areas, where police have made significant strides in uncovering the scam. Just recently, nine individuals were arrested across several districts in connection with the same case.

The police continue to probe the scam, which has left many students without the tablets they were promised by the government, and is now investigating how many others may have been complicit in the misappropriation of funds.