Millions stolen from SBI accounts in Faridkot; clerk disappears with life-savings of customers

A fraud has surfaced at the State Bank of India’s (SBI) Sadiq branch in Faridkot where a bank clerk allegedly siphoned off crores of rupees from customer accounts, fixed deposits, and credit limits before fleeing.

On Wednesday, several customers who visited the branch were shocked to find their accounts emptied. Emotional scenes unfolded outside the bank, with elderly account holders and women in tears, claiming their life savings had vanished.

The fraud came to light when customers discovered unauthorised withdrawals from their accounts. Bank officials, upon verification, found huge funds missing from the accounts of many persons who approached them for verification today. Preliminary suspicion fell on a bank clerk, who is now absconding.

Many discovered that their fixed deposits had been prematurely closed, nominee details altered, and funds redirected. One victim, Paramjit Kaur, claimed her joint FD worth Rs 22 lakh had been fraudulently withdrawn. Another customer, Sandeep Singh, reported that four of his FDs, each worth Rs 4 lakh, were reduced to just Rs 50,000 each.

Sources revealed that, as of now, fraud amounting to approximately Rs 5 crore has been uncovered. Branch officials assured customers that affected accounts are being reviewed and funds will be restored.

The bank’s field officer, Sushant Arora, said that he had joined here just a few days ago and came to know about this fraud today when many customers approached him. Police station Sadiq in-charge Navdeep Bhatti said that a case has been registered against Amit Dhingra, a clerk in the bank, based on four complaints of fraud.