Cyber‑fraud rattles Bank of Baroda’s Kamola outlet

Residents of the Kamola neighbourhood in Kaladhungi are on high alert after a string of illicit withdrawals emerged from the local Bank of Baroda branch. Two savers have so far disclosed a total shortfall of ₹5 lakh, and officials are still checking whether other accounts were compromised.

Clients rush to the branch after spotting bogus debits

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

How the fraud 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 urged him to install a purported banking app, after which two separate deductions of ₹2 lakh each were processed, wiping out ₹4 lakh from his account.

Another account holder, Rani Devi of Dhamola, lost ₹1 lakh in a similar fashion, claiming the same WhatsApp‑based ploy was used against her.

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

Bank’s reaction and law‑enforcement involvement

Branch manager Ankit Kumar confirmed that the incident 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, reviewing the affected accounts and cross‑checking transaction patterns for any signs of additional victims.

Steps taken in the investigation

Kotwali SSI Pankaj Joshi disclosed that his team is validating each complaint, analysing timestamps, IP addresses, and the content of the suspicious WhatsApp messages. The probe aims to identify the culprits, recover the siphoned money, and ascertain whether the same technique has been replicated elsewhere.

What lies ahead for the aggrieved customers?

Clients are urging the bank to reinforce its digital security, upgrade authentication protocols, and circulate clear guidelines on spotting phishing attempts. They also seek prompt restitution of the stolen amounts and firm assurances that such breaches will not recur.