Cyber Fraud Wave Hits Barbil: Victims Lose 20 Lakh, Banks Under Scrutiny
Barbil: The mining hub of Barbil is reeling under a surge of cybercrime, with recent cases exposing a sophisticated fraud network that has siphoned nearly 20 lakh from unsuspecting bank customers.
Victims have raised serious allegations of possible involvement of bank employees, intensifying public concern over financial security in the region.
Multiple Victims, Similar Modus Operandi
– Hardev Singh (alias Goldy), a resident of Mrinal Colony, reported losing over 10 lakh from his IndusInd Bank accounts.
Fraudsters allegedly reset his mobile M-PIN, closed five fixed deposits worth 10,67,678, transferred the funds into his savings account, and then funnelled the money into Axis Bank and RBL Bank credit cards.
Quick action via the cyber helpline (1930) saved about 1 lakh, but Barbil police refused to register his complaint, directing him instead to the Keonjhar Cyber Police Station.
– Chandresh Patel of Ward No. 10 suffered a loss of 9.5 lakh—3.5 lakh from HDFC Bank and 6 lakh from IndusInd Bank. Despite filing complaints in May with both banks and the cyber police, no resolution has been achieved.
Patel insists he never clicked suspicious links or installed unknown apps, fueling suspicion of insider involvement.
– Shahin Parveen of Bolani fell prey to a phone scam when fraudsters convinced her that her account was blocked. She was tricked into transferring 6,500 via Google Pay.
Banks and Authorities Respond
IndusInd Bank’s branch manager confirmed that complaints have been forwarded to nodal and central offices.
Meanwhile, in a related crackdown, police in Rourkela recently arrested employees of IndusInd Bank, Mahindra Finance, and Kotak Mahindra, along with a middleman, for alleged links to cyber fraud.
Growing Concern in the Mining Belt
The Barbil-Joda mining corridor has become a hotspot for cybercrime. Victims complain that local police stations avoid registering cases, forcing them to travel 70–80 kilometres to Keonjhar Cyber Police Station.
Intellectuals and civic groups are demanding the establishment of a dedicated cyber cell in Barbil to ensure swift action and protect citizens’ hard-earned savings.
The Larger Question
These incidents highlight the growing vulnerability of ordinary citizens to cybercriminals operating in the region.
As fraud networks expand, the pressing question remains: Can banks and the administration work together to curb this menace before more lives are financially devastated?
