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<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Police have arrested a senior bank officer following allegations of systematic fraud totalling more than Rs 4.58 crore spanning a three-year period.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Sakshi Gupta, aged 28, who served as a relationship manager at ICICI Bank's Kota branch, was taken into custody during her sister's wedding ceremony on Tuesday evening. She has been remanded to judicial custody pending further investigation.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Details of the Alleged Fraud</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">According to the First Information Report filed on 18th February, Gupta is accused of unauthorised withdrawal of funds from 110 accounts belonging to 41 customers between 2020 and 2023. Police allege she exploited her position and access to the bank's 'User Fixed Deposit' system to carry out the fraudulent transactions.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Investigating Officer Ibrahim Khan stated: "The accused linked mobile telephone numbers of her family members to victim accounts, enabling her to intercept transaction alerts and one-time passwords. She had devised a sophisticated system to receive OTPs directly to her own devices, ensuring account holders remained unaware of the unauthorised activity."</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Modus Operandi</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Police investigations reveal Gupta allegedly invested the stolen funds in equity markets with the intention of generating quick returns. However, significant losses in her investment portfolio prevented her from replacing the misappropriated funds.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The fraud remained undetected by bank management for nearly three years. The scheme only came to light when a customer visited the branch to enquire about his fixed deposit account, prompting internal investigations that led to the police complaint.</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Customer Impact</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The case has affected 41 customers across 110 different accounts. Bank sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have indicated that ICICI Bank intends to compensate affected customers for their losses, though no official statement has been released by the institution.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Customer Mahavir Prasad, who visited the branch following news of the arrest, expressed concern about banking security: "I came to verify whether my funds were secure. If we cannot trust banks with our money, where else can we keep it safe?"</p>
<h2 class="text-xl font-bold text-text-100 mt-1 -mb-0.5">Police Investigation Continues</h2>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">The investigation remains ongoing as officers work to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud and trace the flow of misappropriated funds through various investment channels.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words">Gupta faces charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery. The case highlights potential vulnerabilities in banking systems and the need for enhanced internal controls to prevent similar incidents.</p>
<p class="whitespace-normal break-words"><em>This is a developing story. Further details will be reported as they become available through official police channels.</em></p>

ICICI relationship manager duped 41 customers over 3 years using fake mobile numbers

Bank Officer Held For Rs 4.58 Crore Fraud

ICICI relationship manager duped 41 customers over 3 years using fake mobile numbers

June 6, 2025 | 16:51 IST

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