Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 3: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Punjab National Bank (PNB) office assistant and a private individual in connection with an alleged fraud involving unauthorised withdrawals of Rs 10.24 crore from customer accounts at the bank's Sector Pi branch in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The arrests were made on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation into the high-value banking fraud.
According to a CBI press release, the agency arrested the office assistant, a sub-staff member posted at the PNB Sector Pi branch, and a private individual allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
The CBI registered the case on October 29, 2026, following a complaint alleging that funds had been siphoned off through unauthorised debit transactions from multiple customer accounts.
The agency alleged that the bank employee acted in connivance with the private individual and other unidentified persons. The fraud came to light after a customer reported suspicious debit transactions from her account to the bank authorities.
An internal inquiry by PNB reportedly revealed unauthorised debits amounting to Rs 10.24 crore from various savings and fixed deposit accounts. The bank has stated that a reconciliation exercise is underway to determine the exact extent of the loss.
Earlier, the CBI had registered an FIR against the accused under provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, falsification of accounts and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Prevention of Corruption Act and Information Technology Act.
The agency's preliminary findings indicated the alleged misuse of banking credentials, manipulation of customer account details, alteration of fixed deposit records and diversion of funds through beneficiary accounts.
Reports suggest that the office assistant allegedly misused the login credentials of other bank officials to carry out unauthorised transactions and route the funds through multiple accounts.
The private individual arrested in the case has been identified as a key beneficiary of the alleged fraud.
The CBI said it had obtained transit remand for the private accused from the Special Court for CBI Cases in Pune, Maharashtra.
Further investigation is underway to identify the involvement of other persons and trace the movement of the diverted funds.