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Former Kolkata Police Chief Manoj Verma’s son duped in online scam, accused held in Odisha

Police said interrogation of the accused may reveal links to a larger cyber fraud network.

2 min readKolkataUpdated: Feb 12, 2026 11:57 AM IST

Unable to recover the money, a complaint was lodged and Kolkata Police initiated an investigation. (Photo: Facebook/Image enhanced using AI)

The son of former Kolkata Police Commissioner and current Director (Security) Manoj Verma, was allegedly duped of Rs 30,000 while searching for paying guest accommodation in Delhi through an online portal.

According to police, Piyush Verma, a college student, came across a website offering PG rooms and, after selecting a property, was asked to transfer Rs 30,000 as advance payment.

“A college student, Piyush Verma, had been searching online for PG accommodation in Delhi when he came across a website offering several rental options. After selecting a property, he contacted the website authorities and was allegedly asked to pay Rs 30,000 in advance online to confirm the booking. He transferred the amount to a bank account provided on the website. After the amount was paid the person couldn’t be contacted,” said an official.

Unable to recover the money, a complaint was lodged and Kolkata Police initiated an investigation.

Cyber police traced the transaction to a bank account in Odisha and arrested a youth, Rakesh Pradhan, from Bhubaneswar on February 4. On Wednesday, Pradhan was produced before Bankshall Court, where he was remanded to six days of police custody till February 17.

“Using the bank account details linked to the transaction, we traced the accused to Bhubaneswar and arrested him on Tuesday. He is being questioned to ascertain his role and whether others are involved,” the officer said.

Police said interrogation of the accused may reveal links to a larger cyber fraud network.

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However, Pradhan’s defence lawyer Shankhajit Lal Mitra questioned the jurisdiction, stating, “The complainant was defrauded in Delhi, but he filed the complaint in Kolkata, because his father is the former Police Commissioner. Can a complaint be filed this way?”

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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