Greater Noida (Rajeev Sharma): A suspected banking fraud involving nearly Rs 35 crore has triggered concern among customers of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Greater Noida, with several account holders alleging that money disappeared from their savings accounts and fixed deposits without their consent.
Police said on Wednesday that complaints had been received from customers who claimed they neither authorised the disputed transactions nor received alerts informing them of the movement of funds. The alleged irregularities have raised questions among account holders about how the transactions took place and when they were carried out.
Following the complaints, the bank management suspended several employees, including the branch manager. A case has also been registered at the Beta-2 police station, which has jurisdiction over the branch concerned. Police said the investigation was continuing, while bank officials assured authorities that customers’ grievances would be addressed.
Farmer Claims His Rs 88 Lakh Savings Fell to Rs 1 Lakh
Among those reporting losses is Vijendra Singh, a farmer who said his account previously held approximately Rs 87 lakh to Rs 88 lakh. According to Singh, the balance now stands at just ₹1 lakh.
He told reporters that the money had come from compensation paid by the authority, making the reported disappearance of such a substantial amount particularly concerning.
The alleged loss has left affected customers seeking answers about the status of their deposits and the circumstances surrounding the disputed transactions.
Customers Say Accounts Were Debited Without Their Knowledge
Haneef Khan, another customer of PNB’s Aichhar branch in Greater Noida, said his savings account had contained Rs 39 lakh but was now showing no balance.
Khan alleged that he had not received any notification about the transactions and had not signed documents permitting the transfer of his funds. He said he was unaware of the alleged activity affecting his account.
Another customer, Zakir, reported a similar experience. He said his account had held Rs 9.5 lakh and alleged that he received no text message alerting him to the transactions. According to him, he discovered the issue only after visiting the bank.
The accounts shared by the customers point to concerns over transaction notifications and access to their savings. However, the precise circumstances behind the reported losses have yet to be established by investigators.
Police Investigation Under Way
The suspension of bank employees and registration of the case mark the initial steps in the response to the complaints. Investigators are now looking into the allegations to establish how the disputed transactions occurred and whether any individuals were responsible.
The bank has assured authorities that it will address the complaints raised by customers. Further details about the investigation and the steps being taken to resolve the account holders’ claims have not yet been provided.
For the affected customers, the immediate concern remains the whereabouts of their money and whether their reported losses can be recovered. The alleged ₹35 crore fraud has also placed the spotlight on safeguards intended to protect bank deposits and notify customers of transactions.
The allegations remain under investigation, and the responsibility for the reported financial irregularities has not yet been established.
