Gonda: In the Gulriha village of Vishesharganj police station area in Bahraich district, the Punjab National Bank (PNB) officials have frozen the accounts of around 65 people. Initial investigations revealed that a fraud of nearly two crore rupees was committed through UPI transactions, with money being deposited and then withdrawn from various states, including Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh.
These accounts were opened at the customer service center of PNB located at Narayanpur Kala in Katra Bazaar, Karnailganj. The victims reported that they were promised a benefit of ₹10,000 for solar panels. However, with the help of the service center operators, the fraudsters registered their own phone numbers instead of those of the account holders. When the Telangana police issued a notice regarding the fraud, the villagers were shocked. During this period, around 90 women’s accounts were opened with promises of benefits. Using the registered mobile numbers, the fraudsters conducted transactions worth two crore rupees through UPI.
Ashutosh Srivastava, the branch manager of Karnailganj Pipri, stated that the accounts were frozen immediately after the complaint was received. It was found that mobile numbers from Kerala, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh were registered, and money was withdrawn from the accounts after being deposited by others. The branch manager assured that higher authorities have been informed about the incident, and action will be taken against the fraudsters based on the facts and the applications of the 65 account holders.
The victims claim that the fraud was carried out with the complicity of the PNB customer service center operator. They allege that despite informing the bank officials, no action has been taken. An FIR against the operator and the fraudsters has not been filed, raising concerns that the accused might go underground. Gudia Devi, who received a notice from the Telangana police, said she was lured with a promise of ₹10,000 for solar panels and was told that a message would be sent to her number when the money arrived. However, no message was received.
Karnailganj Kotwal Shridhar Pathak stated that no written complaint or information has been received from the bank or its customers. If a written complaint is received, a report will be registered, and action will be taken.
