Bank Employee Among Five Arrested in Mathura for Jan Dhan Account Fraud Scheme
In a significant crackdown on cyber financial crime, five individuals, including a bank employee, have been apprehended in Mathura for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated fraud operation. The accused are charged with routing proceeds from online scams through dormant Jan Dhan bank accounts by illicitly altering registered mobile numbers and issuing fresh ATM cards.
Details of the Fraudulent Operation
Senior Superintendent of Police (Mathura-crime) Avanish Kumar Mishra provided detailed insights into the case. The primary suspect, identified as Neeraj Kishore, aged 24, was employed as a contractual worker at the bank. Mishra explained that Neeraj exploited his position to access Jan Dhan accounts that had been inactive since their opening in 2022.
"He would discreetly change the mobile numbers linked to these dormant accounts when other bank staff were occupied with different tasks," stated SP Mishra. "This unauthorized access allowed him to manipulate account details without detection."
Network of Accomplices and Methods
The investigation revealed a coordinated network supporting the fraud. Neeraj collaborated with associates Pushpendra Singh and Aniket Singh, who supplied SIM cards used to update the mobile numbers on the compromised accounts. With the assistance of two other accused, Mukul Singh and Vikrant Kumar, ATM cards, cheque books, and account information were then transferred to Bhimu Chaudhary, an associate based in Jaipur.
Chaudhary utilized these accounts to funnel money obtained through cyber fraud. The gang operated on a commission basis, receiving approximately Rs 25,000 for each bank account provided for fraudulent activities. All five individuals—Neeraj, Mukul, Vikrant, Pushpendra, and Aniket—were taken into custody on Saturday.
Legal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
An FIR has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 318 (4) for cheating
- Section 336 (3) for forgery
- Section 338 for forgery of valuable security or will
- Section 340 (2) for forged document or electronic record
- Section 344 for falsification of accounts
- Section 61 (2) for criminal conspiracy
The case also involves provisions of the Information Technology Act. According to SP Mishra, the role of at least four additional individuals has emerged, with efforts underway to locate and arrest them. "Most of these suspects are residents of Mathura," he added.
Background and Financial Impact
The fraudulent activities came to light through a case lodged in 2025, which alleged that around Rs 1 crore had been illicitly obtained from multiple accounts via cyber fraud. This arrest highlights vulnerabilities in banking systems and the exploitation of financial inclusion initiatives like the Jan Dhan Yojana for criminal purposes.
Authorities are intensifying their probe to uncover the full extent of the network and prevent similar schemes in the future. The case underscores the importance of robust security measures in banking operations to protect against internal and external threats.
