Economic Fraud
PNB Manager Exposes Cyber Fraud Racket, Flags 35 Bank Accounts with Suspicious Transactions
An alert branch manager of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Kurla has helped expose an organized cyber fraud operation involving the opening of 35 bank accounts, allegedly used for illicit financial activities. The tainted money deposited in these accounts was reportedly withdrawn from overseas locations. Kurla police have initiated an investigation into the matter.
The accused, identified as Amir Firoze Maniyar from Karjat-Raigad, was booked following a complaint by Sanjay Kumar Ram Das, the manager of PNB’s Kurla Takiya ward branch.
Das became suspicious when a particular customer, later identified as Maniyar, frequently visited the branch with different individuals to open new bank accounts. Recognizing a pattern, Das consulted his colleague Raviraj Gaikwad, who also had concerns about Maniyar’s activities.
Together, they observed a potential link between Maniyar and rising complaints from PNB’s headquarters regarding cyber fraud involving accounts from the Kurla branch.
On November 19, when Maniyar visited the branch again, Das confronted him. Maniyar claimed he was running an export business and that the accounts were for his relatives. Under Das’s instructions, Maniyar provided details of 10 accounts, which Das cross-checked against complaints from headquarters.
ALSO READ: Nominate Top CISOs for Prestigious FutureCrime Summit 2025 Honors
One of these accounts matched a cyber fraud case filed in Bangalore under the name Amir Shaikh, further implicating Maniyar.
Upon deeper investigation, Das discovered that Maniyar had facilitated the opening of 35 accounts at the branch since September. Many of these accounts had Visa cards issued and showed suspicious financial transactions, including frequent ATM withdrawals from international locations.
Convinced of foul play, Das lodged a formal complaint, prompting the Kurla police to register an FIR. Senior Inspector Pramod Toradmal confirmed the ongoing investigation and stated that additional documents had been requested from the bank to verify the allegations.
No arrests have been made yet, and Maniyar will be summoned as the inquiry progresses. Efforts to reach complainant Sanjay Kumar Ram Das for comments were unsuccessful.
