Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Nov 8: Trinamool Congress MP and four-time Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee has reportedly fallen victim to an online financial fraud, losing Rs 55 lakh in West Bengal.

According to reports, Banerjee, who earlier served as the Trinamool Congress chief whip in the Lok Sabha, had a State Bank of India (SBI) account that had remained dormant since his tenure as an MLA from Asansol (Dakshin) constituency between 2001 and 2006. The account, originally active when Asansol was part of undivided Burdwan district, had been inactive for several years.

Recently, Banerjee discovered that Rs 55 lakh had been transferred from his personal SBI account at the Kalighat branch to this old dormant account — and was later withdrawn entirely without his authorization.

Alarmed by the incident, Banerjee contacted SBI officials, who had already lodged a complaint with the Cybercrime Division of Kolkata Police. An investigation is now underway to trace the fraudsters and determine if there was any internal lapse within the bank system.

“The entire matter is being investigated thoroughly. Bank officials are being questioned, and efforts are on to track those involved,” said a city police official.

Sources revealed that the fraudsters allegedly used Banerjee’s photograph and mobile number to execute the scam.

While Banerjee has chosen not to comment publicly, a Trinamool Congress leader close to him said the MP is hopeful that police will resolve the case soon and help recover the lost funds.