45-yr-old steals cheques, loots lakhs from banks

Chitra of Neelankarai recently deposited a cheque for Rs 1.4 lakh at a nationalised bank to transfer the money to another account. While the money was withdrawn, it was not credited into her other account.

When the bank officials claimed unaware of what had happened, she approached the police.

Using CCTV footage from both banks, police zeroed in on Suresh.

When he was arrested and questioned, police found out more details about the fraud.

“He would visit nationalised banks in Adyar, Tiruvanmiyur and T Nagar in the guise of depositing cheques.

He would stand next to someone who is filling the cheque and note down the cheque number, amount and the names. If the cheque is not crossed, he would wait for the cheque to be dropped at the box and as soon as the person leaves, he would approach the bank officials claiming that he dropped a cheque with wrong credentials.

Believing him, they would return the cheque. Later, he would alter the name on the cheque and surrender it in the original branch to withdraw the money,” said inspector Nataraj.

Following his arrest, more victims are expected to lodge complaint.