Kolkata, March 31 – The cybercrime division of the West Bengal Police arrested Kolkata-based industrialist Pawan Kumar Ruia on Tuesday in connection with a cyber scam involving Rs 600 crore.
Ruia, the founder-chairman of the Ruia Group, who had previously earned the reputation of "takeover-cum-tycoon" by acquiring several public and private sector entities, was under investigation by cybercrime division officials due to his involvement in the scam.
Finally, he was arrested by these officials in front of a luxurious hotel in New Town, on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, on Tuesday evening.
A senior official of the state police stated that the arrest was made following a complaint filed by Swapan Kumar Mandal against Ruia at the Eco Park Police Station under the Bidhannagar City Police in 2024.
It is alleged that money obtained through various online frauds across the country was deposited into the banks held by Ruia and his family members.
Initially, cyber experts found traces of Rs 315 crore during the investigation of the complaint. Later, in November last year, the West Bengal Police's cybercrime division filed a suo motu FIR against Ruia in the matter.
The police claimed that the money obtained from cyber frauds was deposited through as many as 148 shell companies registered in the names of Ruia and many of his family members. The money from these fraudulent activities was deposited in the accounts of all these companies.
During this investigation, the investigating officers also conducted raids and searches at Ruia's residence. Later, the police claimed that the total amount involved in the forgery was around Rs 600 crore.
It is learnt that the bank accounts in which the cyber fraud money was deposited were allegedly operated from the Ruia Centre located at 46 Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Kolkata-17.
Incidentally, Pawan Ruia was arrested by the police in 2016 in a case of theft of railway equipment from the Jessop factory, which the Ruia Group had previously taken over. After the Jessop and Dunlop factories owned by him were closed, the state government tried to acquire them.