The arrests were made following a tip-off and subsequent investigation by a police team dispatched to Kishanganj.

The accused, identified as Dibakar Das (28), Gopal Roy (28), and Bishal Dhali (23), are believed to be key players in the scam. Das, in particular, is suspected to be the operation’s mastermind. He is a permanent staff member at Maricha Goalgachh School, as confirmed by the school’s teacher in charge.

The arrests stem from a case registered at Sarsuna police station on November 7 under BNS sections 318 (4) (cheating and thereby dishonestly inducing the person deceived to deliver any property to any person), 338 (forging documents), 336 (3) (forgery), 340 (2) (use of forged document of an electronic record), and 61 (2) (punishment for serious conspiracy).

With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the scam has risen to five. Kolkata police said that Chopra and its surrounding areas appear to be “hotbeds” for such fraudulent activities.

The three accused are scheduled to be produced before Alipore Court today for police custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are anticipated.

As per police, cybercriminals have targeted West Bengal’s “Taruner Swapno” scheme, designed to provide Rs 10,000 to Class 11 and 12 students for buying tablets. Approximately 1,911 out of 16 lakh beneficiaries have been affected by the fraud, where funds were diverted to other accounts. West Bengal police have registered 120 cases related to this and formed a joint investigation monitoring team of top police officials to expedite the investigation.