Cyber frauds are escalating rapidly across the country, including Rajasthan, with fraudsters devising new techniques daily to siphon off people’s hard-earned money. Despite banks issuing advisories urging customers to adopt safety measures while conducting online transactions, the challenge intensifies when a bank manager himself colludes with cybercriminals. This alarming reality came to light when Hanumangarh police arrested a bank manager involved in a Rs 27 crore cyber fraud case.
Bank Manager’s Alleged Role in Cyber Scam
Hanumangarh Cyber Police Officer Hanumanaram Bishnoi revealed that on January 29, the district police unearthed a massive cyber fraud worth Rs 27 crore. As part of the investigation, law enforcement officials apprehended five cybercriminals—Akashdeep, Aditya, Zakir Hussain, Kailash Khichad, and Nidhiraj Bishnoi. Authorities recovered 60 bank passbooks, 11 mobile phones, 8 SIM cards, seven counterfeit rubber stamps, and various bank-related documents from the gang.
Unauthorized Bank Account Openings Facilitated by the Manager
The investigation disclosed that the cyber gang defrauded victims of Rs 27 crore, out of which Rs 1 crore had been frozen by the police. Interrogation of the five accused revealed that they lured individuals into opening bank accounts, which they later exploited for cyber fraud. Further inquiries led to the shocking discovery that Sonu Verma, the manager of Indian Overseas Bank’s Hanumangarh Junction branch, was aiding cybercriminals by opening accounts in customers’ names without their presence.
Bank Manager Aided in Fund Withdrawal Despite Police Holds
Despite police efforts to freeze fraudulent accounts, the bank manager assisted the gang in withdrawing funds. This case marks the first instance in Hanumangarh where a bank manager has been arrested for direct involvement in cyber fraud. Currently, police officials are interrogating the arrested bank manager along with the five cybercriminals, anticipating more revelations regarding additional gang members and fraudulent cases.
Further investigation has also uncovered that the mother of one of the arrested individuals is employed at a financial institution, suggesting her possible role in connecting the cybercriminals with the bank manager. Authorities continue to delve deeper into the case to unravel the full extent of the scam.