PNB employee, friend accused of siphoning off ₹17 crore using six officials' login IDs in Noida

An assistant at Punjab National Bank's (PNB) Greater Noida branch allegedly colluded with an acquaintance to siphon money from customers' accounts over nearly three years by misusing the Core Banking System (CBS) credentials of six bank officials. The alleged fraud has come under the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) scanner, with the bank's preliminary assessment identifying unauthorised transactions worth ₹10.24 crore, while police said the total amount reported by customers was nearly ₹17 crore.

The accused employee, identified as Deepanshi Sharma, was posted at PNB's Sector Pi-1 branch in Greater Noida. Her alleged accomplice, Ashutosh Pathak, is a resident of Accher village and maintained an account at the same branch.

The investigation has also pointed to the involvement of six account holders and other individuals. According to the bank's complaint, the employee allegedly used the login credentials of six colleagues to carry out unauthorised transactions, diverting customers' money through multiple accounts.

The alleged fraud involved not only savings accounts but also fixed deposits (FDs), whose details were manipulated and deposits prematurely closed to facilitate the transfers.

Customer complaint exposed alleged fraud

The irregularities came to light on September 16, 2026, when a savings account holder identified as Sangita discovered three unfamiliar transactions while updating her passbook. She told the bank that she had neither authorised nor consented to the transfers.

When she approached the branch, Deepanshi allegedly assured her that the transactions were genuine. However, after Sangita's husband raised the matter with the branch manager, the employee was questioned.

She reportedly claimed that Sangita had invested in a property and transferred the money to Pathak's account.

The explanation raised suspicion when bank officials could not locate the vouchers supporting the disputed transactions. During subsequent questioning, Deepanshi allegedly admitted to carrying out unauthorised debits from customers' accounts using the credentials of other branch officials.

The FIR states that she also admitted to destroying transaction vouchers and disabling mobile transaction alerts to prevent customers from receiving notifications about the transfers.

The bank's preliminary investigation found that Deepanshi had opened Pathak's account. Money allegedly withdrawn from customers' accounts was transferred to his account and subsequently routed through six other accounts associated with him.

Six officials' CBS credentials allegedly misused

The alleged operation involved the misuse of CBS user IDs belonging to six bank officials. A CBS ID is a unique login identifier assigned to employees and authorised personnel to access a bank's centralised software platform and conduct account-related operations.

The officials whose credentials were allegedly used included the senior branch manager, senior customer service associate, two customer service associates, a relationship manager of Scale I rank and another bank officer.

According to the bank's complaint, a review of system logs, user activity records and transactions revealed multiple unauthorised debits over approximately three years.

The investigation is also examining whether the officials knowingly shared their login credentials or whether the accused accessed their accounts without their knowledge or consent.

The bank's complaint further alleged that several fixed deposits were manipulated by adding Pathak and other individuals as joint holders, changing repayment account details and prematurely closing the deposits. The proceeds were subsequently transferred through beneficiary accounts.

The bank has submitted details of 49 fixed deposits as part of the investigation.

CBI registers case as bank estimates fraud at ₹10.24 crore

The CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Ghaziabad registered a case on October 29 following a complaint from PNB. The bank's complaint, submitted by its chief manager, named Deepanshi, Pathak and other individuals, along with unidentified public servants.

The bank's preliminary assessment put the unauthorised transactions at ₹10.24 crore, although reconciliation was still under way to establish the precise amount involved.

The FIR mentioned in the police investigation records transactions worth ₹12.12 crore. Meanwhile, a police officer familiar with the probe said approximately 35 account holders had approached the police and the total unauthorised transactions reported so far stood at nearly ₹17 crore.

The differing figures reflect estimates at different stages of the investigation, with the final amount yet to be established.

Greater Noida Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanchit Sharma said the case was being taken up by the CBI and that the local police would hand over their investigation in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

The CBI is expected to examine banking records, electronic evidence, login histories and the movement of funds to establish the role of the accused and determine whether other bank employees were involved.

Bank suspends employees, customers seek return of money

The alleged fraud had triggered protests by customers and farmers outside the Accher branch after several account holders reported that their savings and fixed deposits had disappeared.

PNB suspended all employees at the branch, including the branch manager, as it initiated an internal investigation. The bank also said that the disputed amount had been put on hold by its Delhi head office and would be returned to affected customers.

Several customers had alleged that money received as compensation for land acquired for the Noida International Airport project had been transferred without their authorisation.

One account holder, Amarpal, claimed that fixed deposits worth ₹40 lakh, ₹30 lakh and ₹10 lakh, opened in his mother's name, had been affected. He also alleged that around ₹12 lakh deposited in her savings account had been transferred.

Another customer, Sandeep, said his family had deposited ₹1.28 crore received as land compensation, but found that only ₹15,000 remained when a family member attempted to withdraw ₹50,000.

PNB has said it is cooperating with investigating agencies and addressing customer complaints. The bank also confirmed that it had settled three claims amounting to ₹43 lakh at the branch.

The CBI investigation will examine the alleged misuse of banking credentials, manipulation of customer and fixed deposit details, destruction of transaction records and the routing of funds through multiple beneficiary accounts. The extent of the involvement of the accused employee, her alleged accomplice and other account holders is yet to be established.