Fake SBI Bank branch busted in Chhattisgarh, scammed job seekers of lakhs

A fake branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) was busted in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district, following a police investigation triggered by complaints from bank officials. The fraudulent branch, which had set up banners and employed staff, was found to be scamming job seekers by offering fake employment in exchange for large sums of money.
According to police reports, three individuals have been named in the FIR, filed at Malkharoda police station, with all accused currently on the run.
The scam came to light when Manoj Agrawal, a local resident, applied to open an SBI kiosk branch in Dabhra. Upon visiting the so-called SBI branch in Chapora village, he became suspicious and reported it to the Dabhra branch officials. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the branch was fake.
Police, who arrived at the site, found no valid banking documents, and the alleged manager of the branch had already fled. Officers seized computer systems and hard drives from the fake branch, which had employed five individuals. These employees were hired with fake appointment letters and had been sent for training under false pretenses.
Sakti SDOP, Manish Kumar Dhruv, confirmed that a fraudulent seal and fake documents supposedly from the Raipur SBI regional office were found.
A case has been registered under various sections, including Sections 3(5), 318(4), 336, 338, and 340 BNS of the Indian Penal Code, and efforts are underway to locate the accused.
The scam involved duping multiple individuals out of large sums of money, promising them jobs. Victims included Sangeeta Kavar from Korba, who was defrauded of Rs 2.5 lakh, Lakshmi Yadav from Korba, who lost Rs 2 lakh, Pintu Maravi from Kawardha, who paid Rs 5.8 lakh, and Parmeshwar Rathore from Korba, who was scammed for Rs 3 lakh.
The police have identified two individuals, Rekha Sahu and Mandhir Das from Korba, as intermediaries who collected the money from these victims.
The investigation in the case is ongoing.