Man, woman found withdrawing money in Mumbai
Customers who lost money from their accounts argue with a Syndicate Bank staffer on Saturday. (Photo: DC)
Hyderabad: A day after DC published the report on the hacking of Syndicate Bank accounts officials have collected preliminary information from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) about the fraudsters. They found that all the illegal withdrawals took place in Mumbai.
A man and a woman were found withdrawing money at an ATM in Mumbai. Their identity is yet to be confirmed. Bank officials have sent technicians to find out if skimmers were used.
Syndicate Bank DGM M. Prasad said they have also approached the RBI. “Once the NPCI gives us its report we will approach the Maharash-tra and TS police,” he told DC. Meanwhile, as per customers’ complaint, the cyber crime police has started an investigation.
NPCI officials, who are now investigating transactions have sought Mumbai police help to identify the people found in CCTV footages. Bank officials suspect more accounts could be compromised. Meanwhile, bank officials are baffled about how to reimburse the money since there are complications in the insurance policy of virtual cash. Officials think the crooks could have stolen data by hacking into the database or by using skimmers. “There could also be a possibility of the involvement of bank employees," said a senior cop from the city cyber crime police station.
Customers protest at Syndicate Bank branch:
Worried customers protested at the Syndicate Bank’s Picket branch on Saturday after news reports about the hacking of accounts. The victims, who lost lakhs, said that they were not informed by the bank about the development. There were pensioners, government employees and people who saved money for their children’s wedding.
Vincent Stanley, the retired manager of a financial firm, had saved money for his daughter’s wedding. The crooks stole Rs 3 lakh from his account. “I lost Rs 3 lakh but the bank did not alert me,” said Vincent. A retired IAS officer lost Rs 70,000.
“Money was withdrawn from my parent’s account on three days. The crooks did it at midnight so that they can withdraw the maximum amount via two consecutive transactions.
After withdrawing the maximum amount and reaching that day’s limit they waited till 12 am and withdrew again,” said Mr M.V. Narasimha Rao, a techie from West Marredpally who lost Rs 70,000 six days ago. Mr A. Sridhar Rao, chief controller with the Railways, lost Rs 25,000. “I got three messages. This is my salary account,” he said.
The account holders questioned the security of the Syndicate Bank’s ATMs and database. The customers are also worried about the reimbursement of their stolen money. “The bank officials are not much concerned about our money. But we will protest till we get our money back,” said a customer.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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