Fake bank uncovered in India as job seekers fall victim to fraud

International

IN A shocking revelation, police in Chhattisgarh, India, recently discovered a fraudulent bank branch that had been operating in a village, complete with a logo, office furniture, and even staff.

The incident unfolded when Jyoti Yadav, an aspiring office assistant, excitedly joined what she believed to be a legitimate branch of the State Bank of India (SBI), the country's largest government-backed lender.

Yadav had been job-hunting for four years amid rising financial pressures when she received a job offer.

The scammers conducted interviews, provided her with an appointment letter, and issued an identity card, promising a monthly salary of 30,000 rupees ($357; £273), a BBC report stated.

The report added that just a week after starting her new role, police and employees from a nearby SBI branch arrived to reveal that the bank was, in fact, fake.

Yadav was one of six employees who had been lured into this elaborate scam.

Authorities have arrested one suspect and are actively searching for eight others involved in the operation.

Employment scams like this are not uncommon in India, where millions of young people struggle to find stable jobs.

In a notable case from 2022, over two dozen individuals were deceived into working for the Indian Railways, only to find themselves counting trains for days without pay.

The job crisis is especially dire in rural areas, where opportunities are scarce, compelling many to resort to illegal practices such as bribing for employment.

According to police, the six employees of the fraudulent bank came from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, with some having paid significant bribes in hopes of securing their positions.

This incident sheds light on the desperation faced by job seekers in India, illustrating the lengths to which some will go to find work in an increasingly competitive job market.

An officer involved in the investigation revealed to BBC Hindi that the primary motive behind the scam was to defraud job seekers of their money.

According to preliminary findings, many individuals were asked to pay fees under the guise of securing bank jobs, then directed to a fake branch for "training."

Victims reported that after approximately two weeks of training, they were sent home with assurances that they would soon be officially hired at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch.

Those who fell victim to the scam noted that the fraudsters went to great lengths to make the operation appear legitimate.

The investigation continues as authorities work to identify and apprehend additional suspects involved in the fraudulent operation.(CCM)