Rajkot Banks Targeted by Deft Thief in Coordinated Currency Scam
In a startling series of incidents that has exposed vulnerabilities in banking security, three banks in Rajkot were systematically targeted by a thief who employed a cunning sleight-of-hand technique to steal a total of Rs 50,000. The thefts occurred over two consecutive days, February 21 and 22, leaving bank employees and authorities scrambling to understand the audacious scam.
Identical Modus Operandi Across Multiple Branches
Employees from two private banks and one small finance bank across the city filed official complaints, reporting strikingly similar methods used in each case. All incidents took place in crowded branches, where the hustle and bustle provided the perfect cover for the thief's deceptive actions.
The scam unfolded with remarkable consistency: The perpetrator would approach cash counters under the guise of needing currency exchange. He would hand over Rs 20,000 in Rs 200 denomination notes, requesting an equivalent amount in Rs 500 notes instead.
Moments after receiving the Rs 500 bundles, the man would return them to the cashier, claiming he specifically wanted "new notes" and requesting another exchange. It was during this critical moment of back-and-forth transaction that the theft occurred.
CCTV Footage Reveals Clever Deception
Police officials examining surveillance footage discovered the thief's method: while handling the Rs 500 bundles during the exchange process, he discreetly removed 20 notes from each bundle—amounting to Rs 10,000 per incident—and slipped them into his pocket without detection.
"The CCTV footage clearly shows how the man executed his plan with precision," explained a police officer involved in the investigation. "He created a diversion with his request for new notes, then used that moment of confusion to pocket the cash while the cashier's attention was momentarily diverted."
Discovery and Investigation
The thefts only came to light when cashiers conducted end-of-day reconciliation at their counters and noticed significant discrepancies in their cash holdings. The full sequence of events, captured clearly on the banks' CCTV systems, prompted police to launch a comprehensive investigation.
Authorities noted that the identical method used across all three cases suggests either a single, highly skilled individual or a coordinated group working together. Police are now:
- Scrutinizing CCTV footage from all affected locations to identify the culprit
- Comparing timestamps and suspect descriptions across incidents
- Urging bank staff to remain vigilant against similar diversionary tactics
- Reviewing security protocols at banking institutions
The investigation highlights growing concerns about financial security in crowded banking environments and serves as a warning to financial institutions across the region.
