22 May,2009 08:34 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
Police receive two unusual complaints involving well-known banks that allege staff collusion with criminals
A private firm employee is blaming bank officials for Rs 27,500 withdrawn from his account.
They should have sent a mobile alert, he says, and alleges bank employees are hand-in-glove with frauds.
Ajith Kumar Samal says he got a mobile alert on March 16 telling him that Rs 5,577 had been withdrawn from his account.
In his words: "I was shocked since I had not made any transactions and my card was intact. When I called up the bank, they said it was a mistake and that the transaction had been cancelled.
"I did not bother to file a police complaint since I had got back my money. But five days later, Iu00a0 checked my account and found Rs 27,574 deducted on March 21.
"I immediately called up the bank and came to know that someone had hacked into my account and purchased air tickets. I reported this to the bank but they said the amount had already been released and they were helpless."
Samal was unhappy that he didn't get any SMS alert about the transaction. Samal filed a complaint with Koramangala police station, alleging a nexus between bank employees and frauds.
When MiD DAY called up a customer care of the bank, an executive said such alerts were sent out only in respect of certain transactions.u00a0 But Samal maintained he has received mobile alerts for every transaction except this one.
The bank reportedly told him it would investigate and get back to him within 50 days, and also regretted it could do little to recover the amount.
DD encashed
In another incident, two demand drafts sent through courier were encashed by a third party.
Venkoba Rao, branch manager of GMS Express Private Limited, filed a complaint with Cubbon Park police, alleging bank employees' involvement.
According to Rao, the DDs were lost by delivery boy Vasanth when he went to UB City on Wednesday.
He immediately informed his seniors who, in turn, requested the senders to alert the banks and cancel payment.
But it was too late. The bank had already released Rs 1.3 2 lakh to R Girish of Kamakshiplaya.
Rao said both the DDs were in the name of Pepsico India Holdings Private Limited and there was no way the banks could have released the amount to a third party.
