Cyber fraud rattles Bank of Baroda’s Kamola branch

Residents of Kaladhungi’s Kamola area are on high alert after a spate of unauthorized withdrawals surfaced at the local Bank of Baroda outlet. Two customers have so far disclosed a total loss of ₹5 lakh, and bank officials are still confirming whether other account holders have been impacted.

Clients rush to the branch after suspicious debits

When the irregular entries appeared on their statements, the victims hurried to the branch on Monday to verify the status of their accounts. A modest crowd gathered, many seeking reassurance that the remaining balances were secure, while others inquired about closing their accounts or adopting extra security measures.

How the scam was executed

One victim, Dharmendra Kumar of Vijaypur Dhamola, says he received a WhatsApp message that seemed to originate from the bank’s cashier. The message directed him to download a dubious application, after which two separate debits of ₹2 lakh each were levied, wiping out ₹4 lakh from his account.

Another customer, Rani Devi of Dhamola, suffered a loss of ₹1 lakh under a similar scenario, alleging that the same WhatsApp‑based ploy was used.

Police and cyber‑crime investigators are now tracing the digital footprints to determine whether a single fraudster orchestrated both incidents.

Bank’s reaction and police involvement

Branch manager Ankit Kumar confirmed that the matter has been reported to the local police station and the cyber‑cell. The bank is scrutinising transaction logs and the circumstances surrounding the alleged withdrawals.

Authorities have launched a formal inquiry, examining the affected accounts and cross‑checking transaction records for patterns that could indicate additional victims.

Steps being taken in the investigation

Kotwali SSI Pankaj Joshi disclosed that his team is verifying each complaint, analysing timestamps, IP addresses and the content of the suspect WhatsApp messages. The probe aims to identify the perpetrators, recover the siphoned funds and assess whether the fraud technique has been replicated elsewhere.

What lies ahead for the impacted customers?

Clients are urging the bank to bolster its digital security, improve authentication protocols and circulate clear guidance on spotting phishing attempts. They also seek prompt restitution of the stolen sums and assurances that similar breaches will not recur.