Kiosk Operator turns to be Mastermind in Rs 1.14 Crore Fraud in Bank of Maharashtra

Betul, Madhya Pradesh: A minor has emerged as the alleged mastermind behind a ₹1.14 crore bank fraud at the Bank of Maharashtra branch in Morkha. The fraud was allegedly carried out by changing mobile numbers linked to customers’ net banking accounts and prematurely withdrawing fixed deposits (FDs), with the involvement of bank staff. According to police, the minor operated a kiosk centre in the village and worked with the bank’s Assistant Manager, Lokesh Gohe, to target account holders.

Superintendent of Police Virendra Jain said the minor allegedly identified potential victims through the kiosk centre, which was registered in the name of Mithilesh Soni but operated by the minor. Many villagers used net banking but continued visiting the bank branch to update their passbooks. This helped the accused identify account holders and track their banking activities.

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According to the police investigation, Assistant Manager Lokesh Gohe allegedly used his bank ID to change the mobile numbers registered with customers’ net banking accounts. After changing the numbers, the accused allegedly transferred money from the victims’ accounts to other bank accounts. The police are investigating whether the bank’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and verification protocols were followed while making these changes.

Investigators found that a significant portion of the fraud proceeds was transferred to the account of Gaurav Suryavanshi, a taxi driver. Money was also traced to the accounts of Assistant Manager Lokesh Gohe, his mother Sheela Gohe, and three relatives of the minor, identified as Mithilesh Soni, Shailendra Soni and Mayank Soni.

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The police have registered six separate cases in connection with the fraud. Initially, the Assistant Manager, the minor and Gaurav Suryavanshi were apprehended, followed by four additional arrests. Mithilesh Soni was among those arrested. Although the kiosk centre ID was registered in his name, the minor allegedly operated the centre and used it to identify potential victims. Further legal action is underway.

The fraud had reportedly been going on since January, with the frequency of suspicious transactions increasing significantly over the last three to four months. The case came to light after Gendaram Soni, a retired teacher, filed the first complaint on October 21. He alleged that ₹7 lakh had been withdrawn from his bank account without his authorisation. The complaint prompted the police to investigate the transactions and identify other possible victims.

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During the investigation, the police also examined the lifestyle and assets of the accused. The minor had allegedly purchased a Maruti car worth around ₹10 lakh using money obtained through the fraud. The accused were also found to be using expensive mobile phones. The police have seized assets worth ₹22.33 lakh so far, including six mobile phones, gold valued at ₹8.28 lakh and silver worth ₹1.40 lakh.

The investigation has also raised suspicions about the premature liquidation of fixed deposits belonging to customers. Police are examining whether FDs were withdrawn by falsely recording living account holders as deceased. Investigators suspect that forged death certificates relating to six living account holders may have been used to facilitate these transactions.

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The alleged involvement of a bank employee in changing customers’ registered mobile numbers has raised questions about the bank’s internal security and verification systems. The police are examining how the transactions were approved and whether the prescribed safeguards were ignored or bypassed.

SP Virendra Jain said senior bank officials had been informed about the suspected violations of standard operating procedures. The police are collecting information about the bank’s internal processes and verification mechanisms. Advisories are also being prepared to help strengthen security measures and protect account holders from similar frauds in the future.

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