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.

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-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.

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.

Sundeep Bhutoria, Secretary General, The Bengal, said at the event, “The elderly are often the most vulnerable because of age-related infirmities and loneliness. The ex of Police, Sri Manoj Kumar Verma’s visit to the Pronam centre in Tollygunge reinforces Kolkata Police’s unwavering support in providing security, reassurance and a sense of belonging to senior citizens.

"Pronam has successfully created a community service model that addresses both the physical and psychological needs of the elderly."​

About Pronam

Pronam, a pioneering community service model for the elderly, is a joint initiative of Kolkata-based NGO The Bengal and Kolkata Police, started in 2009.

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu and Bengali film legend late Suchitra Sen were among the first to enroll as Pronam members, and the membership base has now grown to over 20,000 senior citizens.​

Shree Cement has been extending financial support to the initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, helping strengthen the safety net for Kolkata’s senior citizens. 

(Photos: PR Team)