Deputy manager of bank siphons Rs 1.8 crore, loses money, home on betting

Police said Vishal Gurudu, the accused, confessed to his crime

Matunga police arrested a 31-year-old deputy branch manager of a private bank for siphoning off nearly Rs 2 crore, on Friday. The accused, Vishal Gurudu, lost all the money to lost betting through the Telegram app, officers said.

According to the preliminary investigation, Gurudu transferred around Rs 1.85 crore between January and November last year, and has even lost his home to his betting addiction.

Stole Rs 1.85 crore

His crime started to unravel on November 6, 2021, when the Currency Chest, Bandra, asked ICICI Bank Regional Head Rajeev Langar why about Rs 2 crore in cash was kept at the Poonawadi branch in Dadar. The money was supposed to be deposited at the Currency Chest. Lagnar enquired with the branch manager, who ordered the counting of the cash and informed him that they had only Rs 20.16 lakh.

The manager then questioned Gurudu, as he used to look after daily transactions at the branch. "At first, Gurudu gave vague answers to his seniors, and then assured that he will cross check all the books and get back in a while. However, he failed to give any answers," said an officer from Matunga police station.

When his seniors sought explanation from Gurudu, he confessed to siphoning off cash deposited in the branch to his and several others' accounts. He told them that he had lost all the money in online betting. Stunned, officials filed a written complaint to Matunga police station with all the documents.

"Through Telegram, Gurudu had got into ‘MK Online Family Group' and was introduced to bookies who gave him links to diamondexch.com and deltaexch.com," said Sub Inspector Vinod Dhurve, investigating officer of the case. "He had got one WhatsApp number through which he placed bets on football and cricket matches or any current issues," he added.

Transferred to 11 accounts

Gurudu used 11 bank accounts in the city, including those belonging to his friends and the sweeper of the branch, to transfer the money. His first bet was of Rs 50,000 which he lost, and to recover it he placed another bet of Rs 50,000 and lost again. This went on for 11 months till he lost Rs 1.85 crore and was finally caught.

"After completing our inquiry, we arrested Vishal Gurudu on Friday and he confessed to siphoning money off the branch and losing it on betting. He had been working as the deputy branch manager since 2012 and was even sent for advance training by the bank as he appeared smart in work," said Deepak Chavhan, senior inspector of Matunga police station. "He was living with his parents and family in Dadar, but he sold his house for R40 lakh. Currently, he lives in a rented room in a chawl," he added.

Vishal has been booked under IPC Sections 408 (criminal breach of trust by servant) 409 (criminal breach of trust by banker) and 467 (forgery of valuable security). He will be produced in court on Saturday.

Jan 2021
Month he started stealing bank's money