An Indian woman, Shveta Sharma, has come forward with allegations of a massive fraud involving an ICICI Bank manager, who reportedly swindled her of $1.9 million through fake accounts and forged signatures. The case sheds light on the importance of vigilance and transparency in banking operations, as Sharma waits for justice and the return of her hard-earned money.
ICICI Bank Manager Accused of Defrauding Customer of $1.9 Million
In a shocking turn of events, Shveta Sharma has come forward accusing an ICICI Bank manager of swindling her of a staggering 160 million rupees, which is equivalent to $1.9 million. The allegations against the manager include the creation of fake accounts, forging signatures, and tampering with bank records to carry out the fraudulent activities.
Upon facing the accusations, an ICICI Bank spokesperson acknowledged the fraud and assured that necessary actions would be taken against all those involved in the scam. It was revealed that Sharma had transferred money from the United States to India for fixed deposits based on the advice given by the accused manager.
The deception came to light when another bank official offered Sharma better returns, and she discovered that her fixed deposits had mysteriously disappeared. Despite Sharma’s cooperation with the bank by providing information, she is still awaiting a resolution and the return of her hard-earned money.
In an attempt to address the situation, the bank proposed depositing 92.7 million rupees with a lien placed on the amount pending further investigation. However, Sharma deemed this offer inadequate and rejected it.
A financial technology watchdog stressed the importance of staying vigilant and closely monitoring account activities to thwart such fraudulent schemes. This incident has raised concerns about internal controls within ICICI Bank, especially since the institution has been associated with a similar fraud case in Rajasthan previously.
Despite notifications allegedly being sent to Sharma’s registered mobile number and email, she claims not to have received them. As a result, the accused branch manager has been suspended pending an investigation, and a complaint has been filed with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police.
Assurances have been made by the bank spokesperson that Sharma will be reimbursed with her money along with interest once the allegations are substantiated. However, the process is contingent on the completion of the police investigation.
Sharma, an Indian-origin woman, disclosed that she was duped of Rs 13.5 crore by the ICICI Bank manager, with an expected growth to Rs 16 crore. It is alarming to note that Sharma remained oblivious to the fraudulent transactions and account balances for a staggering three years, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced transparency and oversight in banking operations.
