Bathinda resident loses Rs1.6L to online fraud

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 19

A local resident has been duped of Rs1.60 lakh by online fraudsters. The victim, Baljinder Singh of Model Town, told the police that the amount was withdrawn from his bank account on different occasions in the past over three months.

He said he did not receive any text message from the bank whenever money was withdrawn from his account. The victim said he came to know about it when he went to the bank to deposit money in his account on Tuesday.

A case has been registered at the Kotwali police station.

Baljinder said, “I had come to the Canara bank branch situated on Amrik Singh Road to deposit money in my account. But, when a bank official told my balance in my account, it was quite less than I had deposited. Then I sought the bank statement. I was shocked to see that someone had withdrawn more than Rs1.60 lakh from my bank account.” The complainant said, “The bank statement revealed that an amount ranging between Rs5,000 and Rs15,000 was withdrawn on 17 occasions through Paytm. It is shocking for me as I have never used Paytm or net banking in my life.”

“Adding to my woes, I did not receive any message when money was withdrawn from my account. But, the bank authorities have been charging a fee for sending text messages on withdrawing money from my account. Instead of helping me out, a bank official told me to go wherever I want, but nothing would come out of it. The non-cooperative behaviour of bank officials has aggravated my problems now. I need to make necessary payments and if I do not get my money back, I will be in trouble.”

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, RK Khanna, branch manager of Canara Bank situated on Amrik Singh Road, said, “We have taken documents and a complaint from the customer who claimed that his money was withdrawn from the account without his knowledge. Necessary action will be taken in this regard.”

The bank officials refuted allegations of non-cooperative behaviour. Lal Chand, manager of the bank, said, “I have sent an email to senior officials of the bank regarding the matter. Further action will be taken after they revert me on the same.”

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