- Over 350 PNB Greater Noida customers report fraud.
- Alleged misappropriation could exceed Rs 200 crore.
- CBI takes over investigation into bank fraud.
Jagran Correspondent, Greater Noida: The PNB Greater Noida bank fraud case is widening, with more than 350 account holders now reporting discrepancies in their savings accounts and fixed deposits. Fresh complaints have pushed the amount allegedly misappropriated by employees at Punjab National Bank's Aichhar branch beyond Rs 20 crore, while concerns remain that the total could rise significantly.
According to Jagran.com, the alleged embezzlement could eventually exceed Rs 200 crore. Meanwhile, the CBI has taken up the investigation as more affected customers come forward with claims of unauthorised withdrawals and premature closure of fixed deposits.
This comes after customers of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Greater Noida alleged on Tuesday that nearly Rs 35 crore had gone missing from their savings accounts and fixed deposits. Several account holders claimed that they had neither authorised the transactions nor received alerts about the alleged fund transfers.
The police have received around 10 additional written complaints. Based on these complaints, the amount involved in the alleged misappropriation has crossed Rs 20 crore. According to Jagran.com, there are fears that the amount could exceed approximately Rs 200 crore.
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On Wednesday, acting on a written complaint filed by Shrichand, the Beta-2 police station registered a case against unidentified bank employees for allegedly misappropriating crores of rupees by withdrawing customers' deposits and prematurely closing their fixed deposits (FDs). The case involves allegations of misappropriation of more than Rs 10 crore belonging to 21 account holders.
However, on Thursday, more than 350 customers came forward with complaints after getting their accounts checked, alleging that substantial amounts had disappeared from their accounts. With more customers reporting discrepancies, concerns are growing that both the number of victims and the total amount involved in the alleged fraud could rise further.
So far, PNB management has maintained silence on the matter and has not issued an official response. According to sources cited by Jagran, senior bank officials had received information about the alleged irregularities at the branch several months ago. Subsequently, five employees, including the then bank manager, were suspended, and an internal vigilance inquiry was initiated.
Following these findings, senior bank officials handed the matter over to the CBI for further investigation. Inspector-in-Charge Vinod Kumar said that a case had initially been registered against unidentified bank employees based on the complaints received. The police have since received additional written complaints, taking the amount allegedly misappropriated to more than Rs 20 crore.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Bhaumik, Regional Zonal Manager of Punjab National Bank, said that the money belonging to three customers had been returned. He added that other affected customers would also receive refunds after their individual cases had been investigated.
The bank has suspended and transferred former staff members allegedly linked to the irregularities. While the CBI is investigating the matter, the bank is also conducting an internal inquiry. Cases will be registered against employees found to be involved in the alleged fraud.
From Rs 87 Lakh to Rs 1 Lakh: What PNB Customers Said
Vijendra Singh, one of the affected customers, claimed that his savings account, which previously held around Rs 87-88 lakh, now showed a balance of just Rs 1 lakh. Singh said he was a farmer and had received compensation from the authority.
Another customer, Haneef Khan, said that his savings account at the same branch had a balance of Rs 39 lakh, but the entire amount had allegedly gone missing.
“My savings account had Rs 39 lakh, but now nothing is showing in it. I neither received any message nor signed any document authorising the transfer of funds,” he told PTI.
Zakir, another account holder, claimed that he had Rs 9.5 lakh in his account but had not received any text message from the bank regarding the transactions. He said he discovered the alleged fraud only after visiting the branch.
Another customer alleged that Rs 25 lakh had been transferred from his account without his consent.
Sanjay, another customer, claimed that an FD worth approximately Rs 1 crore had been prematurely closed and the money transferred to another account.
According to Jagran.com, complaints received so far indicate that the total alleged embezzlement could amount to around Rs 35 crore.
Further investigation into the alleged bank fraud is underway.