Kolkata CP urges elderly to stay alert against digital scams at ‘Pronam’ interaction

Addressing members of ‘Pronam’, a senior citizens’ support initiative, at an interactive session hosted by The Bengal in the city, Verma advised the elderly not to spend a major part of their daily lives in the digital world.

“Do not fall into the trap of this virtual world. I would urge all senior citizens, who have lived most of their lives in the real world, to continue thriving in it,” the CP said.

(Front row) Sundeep Bhutoria, Secretary General, The Bengal, with Kolkata CP Manoj Verma at the event. Photo: PR Team(Front row) Sundeep Bhutoria, Secretary General, The Bengal, with Kolkata CP Manoj Verma at the event. Photo: PR Team

Calling the virtual space “imaginary”, Verma cautioned against believing fraudulent concepts such as “digital arrest”.

“There is nothing called digital arrest. People are losing their hard-earned money by falling prey to such scams. Senior citizens, in particular, should remain alert. They should not respond to unknown calls or click on suspicious links,” he warned.

Verma, who took charge as Kolkata Police Commissioner in 2024 following a major administrative reshuffle amid the RG Kar protests, stressed that elderly people should immediately approach the police if they sense anything suspicious online.

Sharing his experience in handling cybercrime cases last year, Verma said senior citizens are increasingly being targeted by fraudsters and must remain cautious at all times.

L to R : Members of NGO The Bengal - Soumitra Mitra, Priti Patel, Nayantara Palchoudhury, Esha Dutta, Sundeep Bhutoria, Manoj Kumar Verma, Commissioner of Police, Arindam Sil, Subhankar Bhattacharya Jt CP (AP), Jawed Yusuf and Rajiv Chatterjee, OC Tollygunge Police Station, at the Pronam centre visit function in Kolkata. Photo: PR Team

The CP also offered practical advice on personal safety, especially while hiring domestic help or renting out property.

“People must ensure proper verification while hiring drivers, maid servants or renting out apartments. This can prevent many untoward incidents,” he said, adding that recent cases had prompted him to issue the advisory.

Verma succeeded Vineet Goyal as Kolkata Police Commissioner following public criticism over the handling of the RG Kar rape-murder case.

Sundeep Bhutoria, Secretary General of The Bengal, Esha Dutta and Arindam Sil, Joint Convenors of Pronam, senior officials of Kolkata Police were present at the event.

The Bengal team members Priti Patel and Nayantara Pal Choudhury, felicitated the CP. 

The visit concluded with a short but engaging cultural programme presented by Pronam members.​

Kolkata CP Manoj Verma being felicitated at the event

About Pronam

Pronam (Kolkata) is a community outreach and support programme for senior citizens run in Kolkata, West Bengal.

It’s a joint project of the Kolkata Police and a city-based non-governmental organisation called The Bengal, focused on helping elderly residents, especially those living alone, with safety, health, security and wellbeing services.