The alleged Greater Noida PNB scam has prompted account holders to check balances, prematurely close fixed deposits and move funds to other banks, while police have registered 18 cases based on complaints linked to the bank’s Aichhar village branch. The allegations include unauthorised transfers, changes to registered mobile numbers and email addresses, and missing jewellery from lockers.
The Beta-2 police station has received 30 complaints in the matter so far, including 12 new complaints on Thursday, according to the report. The station house officer said complaints filed by people who reported missing money from their accounts were being added to the cases already registered.
The alleged financial irregularities have also led customers at banks across the city to seek direct confirmation of their account balances. Bank managers told the Navbharat Times that more customers were visiting branches to check their deposits instead of relying only on mobile banking applications. Some account holders were reportedly seeking passbook updates, withdrawing remaining balances or transferring money to accounts at other banks.
One account holder, quoted anonymously, said money kept in a fixed deposit for his daughter’s wedding was withdrawn prematurely after reports of the alleged fraud emerged. Another depositor, Vipin Bhati, said he had transferred his money to an account at another bank.
Account holders have alleged that bank managers and employees changed registered mobile numbers and email addresses while transferring funds from fixed deposits and other accounts. They have claimed that the changes prevented customers from receiving transaction alerts. These allegations have not been independently established in the supplied report and are part of the complaints being examined by the authorities.
Complaints have also been made about jewellery kept in bank lockers. Aijpal, a resident of Birodi village, alleged that the bank had not provided clear information about a fixed deposit worth Rs 35.34 lakh. He also alleged that the mobile number and email address recorded in his account differed from his details. He said around 15 tolas of gold jewellery and one kilogram of silver kept in his locker were missing and had allegedly been replaced with imitation jewellery.
According to Aijpal, he received compensation after his land was acquired in 2001 and rented a bank locker in 2014. He said he sought details of his account and locker after learning about the alleged fraud on October 27, but did not receive a clear response.
Police are also examining the reported role of women employees who allegedly persuaded several customers to open fixed deposits. The report said one such employee was missing from her home along with her family. Investigators have also involved the cyber cell after information emerged that money may have been transferred to bank accounts in other states, including Telangana.
The bank has reportedly assured customers that fixed-deposit money would be returned within 48 hours. The police investigation and the bank’s process for verifying deposits, account credentials and locker contents will determine the extent of the alleged losses and the action required for affected customers.
