Coimbatore Bank Manager's Alertness Saves Senior Citizen from Losing Rs 40 Lakh in Digital Scam
In a commendable display of vigilance, a bank manager in Coimbatore recently prevented a senior citizen from falling victim to a sophisticated digital fraud scheme that could have cost him Rs 40 lakh. The incident occurred at the Bank of Baroda's Thudiyalur branch, where quick thinking and proper protocol averted significant financial loss.
Suspicious Transaction Request Raises Red Flags
According to official sources, a 62-year-old man visited the Thudiyalur branch of Bank of Baroda a few days ago and requested to meet the manager. He was directed to senior manager Manoj Menon, to whom he explained that he wanted to break his fixed deposit and transfer Rs 40 lakh from his account to two different account numbers he provided.
"Given the substantial amount involved, Menon immediately became cautious and questioned the elderly customer about the purpose of the transfer," the source revealed. "The man offered inconsistent explanations, which heightened the manager's suspicions about the legitimacy of the transaction."
Cybercrime Police Intervention Reveals Fraudulent Pattern
Acting on his instincts, Menon contacted the city's cybercrime police unit, who promptly investigated the provided account numbers. Their examination uncovered that multiple complaints had already been registered against these same accounts, confirming their involvement in fraudulent activities.
Police officers arrived at the bank and informed the senior citizen that the accounts he intended to transfer funds to were part of a scam operation. Further investigation revealed the man had already fallen partially victim to the fraudsters' scheme.
Elaborate Online Investment Scam Uncovered
According to a cybercrime police official, the elderly man had responded to an online investment advertisement and had already transferred Rs 10 lakh to the fraudsters. "The scammers then falsely claimed that Rs 20 lakh, including profits, was available in his account," the official explained.
"When he attempted to withdraw this money, they demanded an additional Rs 40 lakh, promising him a total return of Rs 1 crore. Believing their deceptive claims, he proceeded to the bank to transfer the substantial amount."
Police thoroughly explained the modus operandi of online investment fraud to the senior citizen and registered a case regarding the Rs 10 lakh he had already lost to the scammers.
Proactive Banking Measures Against Digital Fraud
Authorities noted that they have been conducting regular awareness programs among bank staff about online fraud prevention. "We consistently advise bank employees to verify transaction details carefully and alert authorities whenever senior citizens approach them to transfer large sums," a police representative stated.
This incident highlights the crucial role that alert banking professionals play in protecting vulnerable customers from increasingly sophisticated digital financial scams. The timely intervention by Manager Menon not only prevented an additional Rs 40 lakh loss but also brought attention to the ongoing threat of online investment fraud targeting elderly individuals.
