Real Gold Pledged, Fake Chain Returned: SBI Branch in Bengaluru Faces Fraud Allegations
A Bengaluru couple has accused an SBI branch of returning a fake gold chain after loan closure, triggering a police complaint and raising serious questions about bank safeguards.
- Couple alleges fake gold was returned after repaying SBI gold loan
- Incident reported at Mahalakshmi Layout SBI branch in Bengaluru
- Police complaint filed; investigation underway
Karnataka, Bengaluru: A serious allegation of fraud has surfaced against a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Bengaluru, after a couple claimed they were handed back a fake gold chain instead of the original jewellery they had pledged for a loan.
The incident occurred at the SBI branch in Mahalakshmi Layout. Mukesh and Poornima, residents of the area, had pledged a gold chain at the bank about a year ago and availed a gold loan of ₹2 lakh. According to the couple, they regularly paid monthly instalments of ₹11,700, covering both principal and interest, and recently cleared the entire loan amount.
After redeeming the pledged jewellery, the couple visited a jeweller due to financial necessity. It was during this verification that the shock emerged, the gold chain was reportedly found to be fake. Alarmed by the discovery, the couple immediately returned to the SBI branch and questioned the staff.
However, they allege that bank officials denied responsibility and responded evasively, offering no clear explanation. With no satisfactory response from the bank, the couple approached the Mahalakshmi Layout police station and filed a formal complaint. The police have registered the case and initiated an inquiry.
This incident comes close on the heels of a similar gold-related fraud allegation reported recently at a Canara Bank branch in Mysuru, raising wider concerns over the handling and security of pledged gold in banks.
Related Crime Brief:
In a separate incident, rural police in Sidlaghatta, Chikkaballapur district, arrested a woman accused of stealing gold jewellery worth ₹22 lakh from a KSRTC bus.
The accused, identified as Meenakshi from Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh, allegedly stole 240 grams of gold from a passenger travelling from Jangamakote Cross to Sulibele. Police have recovered the stolen jewellery and are continuing the investigation.
