In Hassan city, a huge financial scandal has surfaced, where a private bank manager is accused of defrauding more than 50 customers of over ₹3 crore. A scandal at the Hassan branch of Suryoday Small Finance Bank was alleged to involve the conduct of illegal activities. This had panicked all those lending in deposits and people had brought their troubles to the district’s top policing unit.
Modus Operandi: Loans and Subsidies
H.S. Pooja, the alleged primary suspect, organized an elaborate scheme to siphon money from clients who, however unaware of the scheme, still bought from her branch. Pooja enticed buyers out with huge loans of ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore (after she was said to have convinced them to unlock fixed deposits (FDs) at the branch), the complainants said.
To further entice them into the deal, she allegedly offered ₹10 lakh government subsidy on every ₹25 lakh loan approved. By trusting the manager's official account, many residents, including small business owners and farmers, deposited their hard-earned savings into the bank.
But in a crucial red flag that many missed at the time, Pooja reportedly did not provide any official receipts or documentation for the FD amounts collected, it was alleged.
The Disappearance and Fake Cheques
The scam started to fall apart after customers began to demand their deposit certificates, or to ask about delays in the disbursement of loans. Pooja allegedly distributed personal or bank cheques to some customers to calm them down when the pressure began to mount. However she went missing not long after and the branch was left alone with no manager.
The victims then, realizing that they had been swindled, came to the District Police Office. An official complaint was filed against Hassan District Superintendent of Police (SP) Shubhanvitha, outlining the magnitude of the embezzlement. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Pension Mohalla Police Station.
Race Against Time: Suspicions of Overseas Flight
There has been mounting anxiety amongst victims that the accused is seeking to flee the country. According to reports, Pooja has been spotted at an international airport, and there are rumors that she is going to take a flight to Dubai to avoid the law. The customers have issued an urgent petition to the SP to seize her passport and issue a Look-Out Circular (LOC) to every airport.
“We believe she is attempting to escape to Dubai. We urge the police to act immediately, cancel her travel documents, and make her pay so we can get our money back," said one of the victims. Hassan police have launched a preliminary inquiry into the bank's transactions and are interrogating other staff to see whether the manager acted alone or had support; while victims linger in shock, hoping for a breakthrough that could save their life savings.
