A large-scale fraud operation has been exposed at the Sheikhpura branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) in Bathinda, Punjab. It has been reported that money from customer accounts has been stoledn using fake signatures and thumb impressions. In addition, gold from lockers and cash from the ATM has also been stolen.
How the Fraud Was Discovered
The scam came to light after several customers reported unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts. The police launched an investigation, and in the initial findings, it was revealed that a total of ₹39,41,400 had been withdrawn from customer accounts. Additionally, 342 grams and 27 milligrams of gold were stolen from the bank’s locker, along with ₹15,84,000 from the ATM. The estimated value of the stolen gold is around ₹2.65 crore, making the total fraud over ₹3.2 crore.
Involvement of Bank Staff
After the initial investigation, the Talwandi Sabo police station registered a case against the bank’s head cashier, Harvinder Singh, under several legal charges. Investigations are also underway to determine the involvement of the bank manager and other employees, as there are signs of deeper collusion within the bank.
The Customer’s Complaint
The case began when a customer named Pyara Singh, a resident of Sandoha village in Bathinda district, filed a complaint with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Bathinda. On July 2, 2024, the SSP ordered an inquiry into the complaint.
Pyara Singh, along with another customer, Tara Singh, had opened an account at the Sheikhpura branch of SBI. Pyara Singh had deposited money specifically for his child’s college fees. However, when the college requested payment, and he went to the bank to withdraw the funds, he was shocked to be informed that ₹13,32,000 had already been withdrawn in February.
Singh was certain he hadn’t made any withdrawals. Further investigation revealed that the bank’s head cashier, Harvinder Singh, and the bank manager had fraudulently transferred the money using fake thumb impressions and forged signatures. As a result, Pyara Singh was forced to pay the college fees out of pocket, including interest.
Long-Running Fraud Operation
After this discovery, it became clear that the fraud had been ongoing for several years. The bank employees had been using fake documents to withdraw money from multiple customer accounts. Despite earlier complaints from customers, no serious action was taken. In the past, the only response was to change the head cashier’s position, but the fraudulent activities continued.
Police Investigation and Action
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Talwandi Sabo, Ishant Singla, confirmed that a case has been registered against head cashier Harvinder Singh, and efforts are being made to arrest him. The investigation is also looking into the roles of all individuals involved in the scam, and more arrests are expected.
The case highlights a deep-rooted issue within the bank branch, where officials and employees took advantage of their positions to steal from unsuspecting customers. Authorities are now working to bring those responsible to justice and recover the stolen funds.
