Cyber‑theft rattles the Kamola outlet of Bank of Baroda

Residents of the Kamola area in Kaladhungi are on high alert after a string of unauthorised debits surfaced at the local Bank of Baroda branch. So far, two customers have collectively lost Rs 5 lakh, and bank officials are still checking whether other accounts have been compromised.

Clients rush to the branch after spotting fake withdrawals

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 safe, while others inquired about closing their accounts or adding extra security layers.

How the fraud unfolded

One victim, Dharmendra Kumar of Vijaypur Dhamola, says he received a WhatsApp message that seemed to be sent by the bank’s cashier. The message urged him to download a particular app, after which two separate deductions of Rs 2 lakh each were made, wiping out Rs 4 lakh from his account.

Another customer, Rani Devi of Dhamola, suffered a loss of Rs 1 lakh in a similar fashion, claiming that the same WhatsApp‑based ploy was employed.

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 case 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 records for any patterns that might point to 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 perpetrators, recover the stolen funds and assess whether the same method has been replicated elsewhere.

What lies ahead for the impacted customers?

Customers are urging the bank to bolster its digital security, tighten authentication protocols and issue clear guidance on recognising phishing attempts. They also seek prompt restitution of the lost amounts and assurance that similar breaches will not happen again.