SBI Lothukunta branch prevents Digital Arrest of elderly couple, saves Rs. 30 lakhs
Hyderabad: The staff at the SBI Lothukunta branch successfully prevented a potential financial scam that could have cost an elderly couple ₹30 lakhs. The incident unfolded on November 27, 2024, when a 78-year-old senior citizen, a doctor by profession, was targeted by a fraudster posing as a Delhi Customs Officer.
The victim, who along with his wife runs a nursing home in Lothukunta, received a call around 12:20 p.m. from a man identifying himself as Ranjith, a Delhi Customs Officer. The caller claimed that a parcel containing 16 passports and ATM cards in the customer’s name had arrived from Malaysia. Ranjith then transferred the call to another individual, identified as Sunil Kumar, claiming to be an ACP with the Delhi Crime Police.
The fake ACP informed the customer that 30 bank accounts had been opened using his Aadhar card details and linked to a money laundering scheme worth ₹88 crores. He demanded that the customer provide his bank account and Aadhar details for further investigation, threatening that a Police Clearance Certificate would be needed at a significant cost.
Out of fear and confusion, the senior citizen provided the requested details. The scammer then pressured him to close his Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) account, transfer the ₹30 lakhs to his savings account, and not tell anyone about the matter.
At around 2:30 pm, the customer visited SBI Lothukunta branch, requesting to close his SCSS account and transfer the funds. Branch Manager Naveen Kumar, noticing the customer was visibly distressed, inquired further.
The customer explained that the funds were urgently needed for his wife’s treatment at Apollo Hospital, Jubilee Hills, where she was reportedly being treated for a brain hemorrhage. However, the Branch Manager grew suspicious and took quick action.
In a span of just 1-2 minutes, the customer received three more calls from the fraudsters urging him to speed up the transaction. Concerned by the urgency and the situation, the Branch Manager immediately contacted the bank’s Regional Business Office and informed them of his suspicions. Upon contacting Apollo Hospitals to verify the claim, it was confirmed that no patient by the name of the customer’s wife had been admitted there.
Taking swift action, the Branch Manager alerted the local police, who arrived at the branch and took the customer’s statement. The customer, under mental distress, recounted the events of the past few hours, realising he had almost fallen victim to the scam.
Due to the proactive intervention of Naveen Kumar, the Branch Manager, the senior citizen and his wife were spared from a financial loss of ₹30 lakhs. The customer expressed gratitude to the Branch Manager for his vigilance, which not only saved their hard-earned savings but also relieved them from the emotional trauma.
The public is advised to always approach their bank or financial institution for guidance and to immediately report any suspicious activity by calling 1930 or lodging a complaint at the official government portal www.cybercrime.gov.in.
