CCB’s Bank Fraud Investigation Wing uncovers large-scale forgery and fraud targeting NRI accounts in Chennai branch.
The Bank Fraud Investigation Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested three staff members, including a deputy manager of IndusInd Bank’s Anna Nagar branch, for allegedly swindling over ₹8 crore from the accounts of Non-Resident Indians (NRI) , reported thehindu.com.
According to police, the couple maintained three accounts — a joint NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account and two NRE (Non-Resident External) accounts. Between June 2015 and September 2020, ₹1.43 crore was withdrawn without their knowledge through forged cheques and vouchers.
The arrests were made following a complaint filed by Arjun Pandian, representing his US-based relatives Dinakar Pandian and his wife Chitra, whose accounts were fraudulently siphoned.
Investigations revealed that the bank staff themselves orchestrated the fraud. They forged signatures, used fraudulent cheques and vouchers, and even liquidated NRI fixed deposits, transferring the proceeds into their own accounts. Officials confirmed that several other NRIs were defrauded in a similar manner, bringing the total fraud amount to nearly ₹8 crore.
The accused were identified as Kulothungan (49), cashier; Venugopal (50), deputy manager; and Dhanasekaran (41), cashier. All three were produced before court and remanded to prison.
The case has raised serious concerns over internal bank fraud and the safety of NRI deposits, with police indicating that further victims may come forward.
