Dipankar Barman, the alleged mastermind behind the DB Stock Broking financial fraud case, is on the run as police intensify efforts to locate him amidst rising public outrage and financial devastation among victims.
Dipankar Barman, the mastermind behind an investment scam that defrauded several citizens, remains at large, as city police continue efforts to apprehend him. Barman is accused of duping numerous people by offering fraudulent investment opportunities, promising quick and high returns, under his company the DB Stock Broking. The scam has left many in financial ruins, with victims claiming they had entrusted him with their life savings.
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Media reports suggest that Barman targeted close acquaintances, capitalising on their trust to solicit investments. His disappearance has only fuelled frustration, with family members facing harassment from victims and local groups. Protests outside his family’s residence have been reported, with angry investors demanding justice.
In a shocking twist to this Rs 7,000 crore financial scam, two videos have surfaced, further complicating the case of fugitive stockbroker Deepankar Barman, owner of DB Stock Broking firm. In one video, Barman is seen casually counting stacks of cash at his desk, while another old clip shows him hosting an extravagant ring-wearing ceremony. The ceremony, conducted with royal splendor, has raised eyebrows as the manhunt for Barman continues.
Talking to GPlus, an investor of DB Stock Broking said, “I am angry and frustrated at the same time. With almost no hopes of getting the money back, I am at a loss of words.”
This is not an isolated incident in Assam, which has increasingly become a hotspot for scams. In recent years, similar cases have surfaced. In 2023, an investment firm in Guwahati was exposed for siphoning off millions from unsuspecting clients under the guise of a property development scheme. Earlier, Ponzi schemes targeting rural communities had also made headlines, with thousands of victims left without recourse. At present, the Sumi Borah case is one such classic example. Similarly, several frauds are also surfacing after investors got hold of proper information through the media.
Talking to GPlus, a city advocate said, “Investors were in high hopes of getting huge returns as interest. Now that Dipankar Barman is nowhere to be found, they are lodging complaints against him. Yet, there is still a very large number of investors who are apprehensive of lodging a case against him. The reasons for which are unknown.”
Experts warn that Assam's economic growth has made it an attractive target for scammers, who exploit people's desire for financial security. Barman’s case is now emblematic of a broader issue in the state, raising concerns over the effectiveness of regulatory bodies and law enforcement.
A source from the Central Guwahati Police District (CGPD) confirmed, "With all the investigation, it is known that Dipankar Barman has not crossed India, but he is absconding. All technical and scientific investigation methods are being utilised to track him and very soon he will be caught."
As Assam faces an alarming rise in financial fraud, the public remains sceptical about justice being served, with authorities under pressure to prevent further scams from taking root.
