Anup Kumar S/o  Liladhar is an SBI bank employee, while Pardeep Kumar S/o Ramesh Kumar was worked as a clerk in PNB, Sirsa.

Chandigarh Cyber Crime Police Crack Cyber Financial Fraud Case, Punjab National Bank Latest News: In a significant breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Police Station, UT Chandigarh, has arrested three accused in connection with a ‘high-value online fraud’, Cyber Crime Police Station said in a press release. 

A case was registered on the complaint of a resident of Chandigarh. The three apprehended individuals are accused of making a transaction amounting to Rs 25.54 lakhs through UPI/IMPS/RTGS from the complainants’ bank account. The complainant only uses a basic phone. 
The complainant had submitted a written complaint to the Bank Manager, Punjab National Bank (PNB) where he maintains a Savings Bank Account.
Next he had lodged a complaint in PS-Cyber Crime. Following an enquiry, a case was registered against unknown person.

The case has been registered under Case FIR No. 56, dt.13.05.2025, U/s 319(2), 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 61(2) BNS, PS-Cyber Crime, Chandigarh.

The operation was carried out under the leadership of. Geetanjali Khandelwal, IPS, SP-Cyber, UT Chandigarh, with close guidance from A. Venkatesh, DSP Cyber Crime & IT, and supervision of Inspector Eram Rizvi, SHO, PS-Cyber Crime, Sector 17, Chandigarh. 

“The arrests mark an important step in curbing rising cyber fraud cases in the region, showcasing the effective coordination and swift action of the PS- Cyber Crime,” the press release read. 

On August 20, 2025, in a raid conducted in Rajasthan, where Balwinder @ Bindu,  (Age 33 years), an accused, was arrested.

Disclosure made by Bindu following his arrest led to the arrest of the other two. 

The other two accused have been identified Pardeep Kumar, son of Ramesh Kumar, aged 31 years; and Anup Kumar, son of Shri Liladhar, aged 31 years.

Anup Kumar was an SBI bank employee, while Pardeep Kumar worked as a clerk in PNB, Sirsa.

Case Background as Explained by the Police
The case was registered on the complaint, a resident in Chandigarh, who reported that he maintains a Savings Bank Account in Punjab National Bank, Sector-26, Chandigarh, linked with his registered mobile number. The complainant was using a basic mobile phone without internet or banking applications.

On 21.04.2025, when the complainant visited the bank to withdraw ₹5,000/ and asked for his balance of his account. The bank authorities informed him that the balance in the account was below Rs. 1 lakhs and bank officials said that multiple transactions had been made from his account between March to April 2025, amounting to ₹25.54 lakhs through UPI/IMPS/RTGS. 
The complainant clarified that he did not made any transactions as he is not using smartphone, WhatsApp, internet banking, or any online banking apps, making such transactions impossible on his part.  He immediately raised the issue with the bank and submitted a written complaint to the Bank Manager, PNB. Later, he clarified that he had not carried out any such transactions and lodged a complaint in PS-Cyber Crime and after enquiry a case was registered against unknown person.

Investigation Details
During investigation, it was revealed that the complainant’s registered mobile number which was linked with his PNB bank account had been deactivated earlier by the Telecom Service Provider (TSP) as the mobile number was not in use. Later, the same number was reissued to a person named Balwinder S/o Pala Ram. Balwinder he came to know that the given number was already linked with some bank account of PNB bank in which balance approx 26 lakhs. Then with the intention to withdrew the amount he activated internet banking on the number and fraudulently transferred funds from the complainant’s PNB account into various accounts. The investigation established the fraudulent transfers.

Accused Arrested & Recoveries-
On 20.08.2025, a raid was conducted at Rajasthan and accused Balwinder @ Bindu (Age 33 years) was arrested. One mobile phone and SIM used in the crime were recovered from his possession.

During interrogation, Balwinder disclosed that after obtaining the SIM, he received bank alerts linked to the complainant’s account. He conspired to activate internet banking with the help of Anup Kumar S/o Sh. Liladhar an SBI bank employee on contract basis and transferred the amount to various accounts.

On 22.08.2025, a raid was conducted at District Sirsa (Haryana), leading to the arrest of Anup Kumar. He disclosed that accused balwinder contact him and told that he wants to activate the net banking of PNB bank and for this purpose ATM card details of said PNB bank are required. Anup Kumar sought the ATM Card details of PNB bank account from Pardeep Kumar S/o Ramesh Kumar, who was working as a clerk in PNB, Sirsa and activate the net banking and transfer the amount available in account.  

Further accused Pardeep Kumar was arrested from Ellenabad, Sisra, who disclosed the he shared ATM card details of the complainant’s PNB account with Anup Kumar, who further passed them to Balwinder, enabling fraudulent activation of net banking.

Current Status- 
Bank accounts used for fraudulent transfers are being examined and further recoveries are under process and the prompt and coordinated response of the Police Station Cyber Crime team and Bank staff that leads to a total lien amount of ₹5,43,031/- has been secured in the accused bank accounts. The investigation is ongoing to trace the complete financial trail and uncover the full extent of the criminal nexus.

Police Issues Advisory for the Public:
1.    Regularly update KYC details and ensure their registered mobile numbers remain active.
2.    Immediately report to the bank if the mobile number linked with bank account was deactivated and update the new details with bank authorities.
3.    Immediately report to police in case of any suspicious activity or deactivation of registered mobile numbers.
4.    Exercise caution while sharing personal banking details and remain alert against fraudsters.
5.    You can check how many SIM cards are issued in your name via official portals (e.g., TAFCOP in India). Report unknown numbers associated with your ID immediately. report to DoT via helpline or the TAFCOP website.
6.    Verify suspicious calls by contacting local Police or Cyber Crime Helpline (1930)

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