The cybercrime division of West Bengal Police apprehended Pawan Kumar Ruia, a Kolkata-based industrialist, in connection with a Rs 600 crore cyber scam. Ruia, the founder-chairman of the Ruia Group, known for taking over various public and private sector entities, was taken into custody by cybercrime division officials near a luxurious hotel in New Town, Kolkata. The arrest stemmed from a case filed against Ruia by Swapan Kumar Mandal at the Eco Park Police Station under Bidhannagar City Police in 2024.
Allegations suggest that funds from online fraud activities nationwide were channeled into bank accounts linked to Ruia and his family members. Initially, investigators identified Rs 315 crore linked to the complaint, leading to a suo motu FIR filed by the West Bengal Police’s cybercrime division against Ruia in November last year. Authorities claim that money from cyber frauds was funneled through 148 shell companies under Ruia and his family members’ names.
Following the discovery, police conducted searches at Ruia’s residence, revealing a total forgery amount estimated at around Rs 600 crore. The bank accounts allegedly used to stash cyber fraud proceeds were reportedly operated from the Ruia Centre situated at 46 Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Kolkata-17. Notably, Ruia had a prior brush with the law in 2016 for the theft of railway equipment from the Jessop factory, previously acquired by the Ruia Group, which faced closure after government acquisition attempts.
