Ahmedabad Woman Discovers Rs 4.47 Lakh Fraudulent Loan Taken in Her Name
A 31-year-old woman from Ashapur village near Bakrol in Ahmedabad has filed a formal complaint with the Aslali police after uncovering that a personal loan of Rs 4.47 lakh was fraudulently sanctioned in her name and illicitly diverted to another bank account last year. The incident has raised serious concerns about identity theft and banking security protocols in the region.
Details of the Fraudulent Transaction
The complainant, identified as Sharmin Barnabas, works at a private hospital located on SG Highway and resides with her mother and brother. In her official statement to the authorities, she emphasized that she maintains a savings account with HDFC Bank Ltd, where her salary is regularly credited, and she had never applied for any loan whatsoever.
The alarming situation came to light on September 7, 2025, when Sharmin received a text message notifying her that Rs 10,209 had been debited from her account as an Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI). Upon checking her banking application, she realized this deduction was for a loan instalment, prompting immediate action.
Bank's Response and Investigation
When Sharmin approached HDFC Bank for clarification, officials informed her that a personal loan amounting to Rs 4,47,981 had been processed in her name on August 15, 2025, with the full sum credited to her account on the same day. Subsequent scrutiny of bank statements revealed that the entire loan amount was transferred on the very day of credit to an account held with IDBI Bank.
Sharmin firmly maintained that she neither applied for the loan nor received any One-Time Password (OTP) or verification call related to the transaction. Following the bank's guidance, she contacted the national cybercrime helpline and subsequently lodged a written complaint with the Aslali police. She also escalated the matter to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) via email to seek intervention.
Ongoing Harassment and Legal Action
Despite these efforts, Sharmin alleged that recovery agents continued to harass her, making persistent phone calls and even visiting her residence to demand EMI payments. This added emotional and financial distress to an already troubling situation.
In response, Sharmin has submitted comprehensive documentation, including her bank statements and transaction details, to the police. She alleges that an unknown individual fraudulently availed the loan using her personal credentials and diverted the funds without her knowledge or consent.
Police Investigation and Broader Implications
The Aslali police have registered a formal case of cheating and have launched a thorough investigation into how the loan was sanctioned and the identity of the beneficiary account holder. Investigators are meticulously examining digital trails, loan documentation, and Know Your Customer (KYC) records to determine whether this incident involves identity theft or potential internal lapses within the banking system.
This case underscores the growing threat of cyber fraud in India and highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures in financial transactions. Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
