A few days ago, a surprising incident was reported from Kalan, a town in Shahjahanpur district, where fake notes with “churan” labels were dispensed from a State Bank of India (SBI) ATM.
Now Authorities have begun an investigation, and the focus is now on reviewing the CCTV footage to track down the employees of the private agency responsible for filling cash in the ATM. If any wrongdoing is confirmed, the bank will not only recover the lost money but also file a formal complaint against those found guilty.
Discovery of Fake Notes
The incident came to light on Friday and Saturday when several customers using the SBI ATM in Kalan received fake currency. A total of eight fake notes were withdrawn by different people. These counterfeit notes had a “churan” label instead of authentic security features, raising immediate suspicion.
Bank’s Response and Investigation Process
As soon as the bank officials were alerted, they promptly shut down the ATM with the help of the local police. An internal investigation revealed that a private company was responsible for replenishing cash in the ATM. This company operates under the Shahjahanpur Town Hall branch of SBI, and sealed packets of cash had been handed over to its employees for filling the ATM. Interestingly, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials were also present during the process.
CCTV Footage Examination
During the investigation, the bank officials checked the CCTV footage recorded inside the ATM. The video showed employees opening bundles of notes and placing them inside the ATM’s cash trays. One of the employees was also seen bringing two additional bundles from outside, which has now raised further concerns.
According to initial findings, 10 fake notes were added while loading the ATM. Out of these, eight fake notes were withdrawn by customers, while two were found in the ATM’s “rejected notes” tray.
Bank’s Assurance of Action
SBI Regional Manager Gyanendra Srivastava confirmed that a thorough investigation is ongoing. He assured the public that strict legal action will be taken against those found responsible once the investigation concludes.
This incident serves as a reminder for ATM users to be vigilant when withdrawing cash. Customers are advised to check their notes immediately after withdrawing money and report any suspicious notes to the bank without delay. The bank is also expected to take additional steps to prevent such incidents in the future by tightening the process of cash loading and improving security measures.
The investigation is still underway, and more details are expected to emerge soon. SBI has assured customers that it will take swift and decisive action to maintain trust and ensure the safety of transactions at its ATMs. Stay alert and always check your cash for authenticity when using an ATM.
