TrendingVideosIndia
Opinions | CommentEditorialsThe MiddleLetters to the EditorReflections
UPSC | Exam ScheduleExam Mentor
State | Himachal PradeshPunjabJammu & KashmirHaryanaChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshRajasthanUttarakhandUttar Pradesh
City | ChandigarhAmritsarJalandharLudhianaDelhiPatialaBathindaShaharnama
World | ChinaUnited StatesPakistan
Diaspora
Features | The Tribune ScienceTime CapsuleSpectrumIn-DepthTravelFood
Business | My MoneyAutoZone
News Columns | Straight DriveCanada CallingLondon LetterKashmir AngleJammu JournalInside the CapitalHimachal CallingHill View
Don't Miss
Advertisement

91 bank branches flagged for cyberfraud link

Gurugram and Nuh top the list; police raids expose fake accounts

Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium

Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only Benefits
Yearly Premium ₹999 ₹349/Year
Yearly Premium $49 $24.99/Year
Advertisement

The Haryana Police have drawn up a list of 91 bank branches across the state suspected of facilitating cyberfraud through ‘mule accounts’. Of these, 26 branches are in Gurugram and 24 in Nuh, officials confirmed.

Advertisement

Special teams from the Cyber Crime Wing have begun phased verification, inspections, and legal action against these branches. Investigators are examining whether lapses in KYC compliance, procedural violations, or even collusion by bank staff may have allowed cybercriminals to operate freely.

Advertisement

As part of the ongoing drive, raids were carried out yesterday in Karnal and Yamunanagar. Police said in Yamunanagar, startling irregularities were uncovered. A current account belonging to a firm officially shut down in March 2025 was still active and recorded transactions worth Rs 43 lakh. At least eight complaints have already been filed nationwide against this account.

In another case, an account opened on a fake address recorded Rs 2 crore worth of transactions in just three months, and has 33 complaints lodged against it across India. Officials said both the account holders and bank staff responsible are under probe.

A government spokesperson said that this crackdown will not remain limited to the two districts. “Similar raids will be extended to other suspicious bank branches in the coming days,” the spokesperson added.

Advertisement

DGP Shatrujeet Kapur underlined the seriousness of the drive. “A robust and multi-pronged strategy has been devised to clamp down on cybercrime. This includes strict monitoring of bank branches, rapid analysis of suspicious transactions, regular raids, and ensuring adherence to banking regulations. Protecting citizens’ hard-earned money from falling into the trap of cybercriminals is a top priority,” he said.

He further stressed that banks must share responsibility. “Personal accountability of bank officials and cyber nodal officers is being fixed,” the DGP said.

Inspector General, Cyber, Shibas Kabiraj, meanwhile urged people to remain alert.

“Cybercriminals often pose as bank officials, police officers, government agencies, or representatives of reputed companies to make fraudulent calls, send suspicious links, or trick people into downloading fake apps. Citizens must never share OTPs, ATM or UPI PINs, passwords, or personal documents like Aadhaar and PAN, nor scan any unknown link or QR code,” he cautioned.

Advertisement
Show comments
Advertisement