A group of alert bank employees helped bust a major fraud after noticing suspicious activity by three men frequently opening new accounts at a nationalized bank branch in Thane. Their timely tip-off led to a police investigation, revealing a large-scale scam involving fake Aadhaar cards and fraudulent bank loans.
How the Fraud Was Uncovered
Bank staff at the Thane branch grew suspicious when three men repeatedly visited the branch to open multiple bank accounts. Noticing their unusual behavior, the employees decided to alert the local police. Acting swiftly, the police launched an investigation that led them to a dormitory in Fort, where they arrested the three suspects.
During the raid, officers recovered 95 Aadhaar cards, several PAN cards, and multiple bank passbooks, exposing the extent of the scam.
Modus Operandi: Fake Aadhaar Cards and Loan Fraud
Investigations revealed that the accused would fraudulently obtain Aadhaar card details, digitally alter the photographs, and then use these fake IDs to open bank accounts. They supplied these accounts and debit cards to cybercriminals in exchange for a 20% commission per transaction.
Additionally, the suspects used these forged documents to apply for loans from banks, managing to secure funds illegally before their arrest.
Who Are the Accused?
The arrested individuals were identified as:
- Umesh Darshan (32), a truck driver
- Aman Kumar Dillip Prasad (23), an auto driver
- Rahul Kumar Sanjay Kumar Verma (30), all residents of Bihar
According to a police officer from MRA Marg police station, the suspects specifically targeted bank branches located in the same area as the Aadhaar card addresses, making their fraudulent activities harder to detect.
Suspicious Behavior Led to Their Arrest
Despite their well-planned scheme, their frequent visits to the same bank raised red flags. The bank employees in Thane noticed their repeated attempts to open accounts and immediately informed the local police, who then coordinated with the MRA Marg police for further investigation.
The arrested suspects are now in police custody, and authorities are investigating the extent of their network and possible links to larger cyber fraud gangs.
Conclusion
This case highlights the importance of alert banking staff in preventing financial fraud. Their vigilance and timely reporting helped law enforcement take down a group that could have caused significant financial losses. Authorities are urging banks to remain cautious and report any suspicious activities to prevent similar scams in the future.
