In recent years, numerous cases of fraud involving bank transactions and counterfeit documents have emerged. However, a particularly audacious incident in Chhattisgarh has drawn attention. Mirroring a plot from a thriller, criminals executed a meticulously planned scheme to establish a fake branch of the State Bank of India (SBI). This elaborate scam involved hiring employees under false pretenses and conducting fake training sessions to deceive both job seekers and local villagers.
Located approximately 250 kilometers from Raipur, the quiet village of Chhapora in Sakti district became the unlikely setting for this elaborate fraud. Six unsuspecting individuals were recruited, believing they had secured legitimate jobs at India’s largest bank.
The fraudulent branch, which opened just ten days prior, was designed to resemble a real bank, complete with new furniture, professional documents, and functional bank counters.
Unaware of the deceit, villagers began flocking to the “bank” to open accounts and perform transactions, while the newly hired employees were excited about their new positions.
This facade continued until September 27, when top police and SBI officials arrived for an investigation following suspicions raised by the manager of the nearby Dabra branch. Their inquiry unveiled that the Chhapora branch was entirely fake, and the job appointments had been secured using counterfeit documentation.
Rajesh Patel, a senior police official, confirmed, “The manager of the Dabra branch alerted us to the possibility of a fake bank in Chhapora. Upon investigation, we verified that the bank was fraudulent, with several employees hired through forged documents.”
So far, four individuals linked to the scam have been identified, including Rekha Sahu, Mandir Das, and Pankaj, who acted as the manager of the fake SBI branch. Mr. Patel noted that these suspects appear to be connected.