Mumbai crime: Duo opens bank accounts using fake papers, held

Two accused have been arrested while cops are looking for the third one. Representation pic

An alert employee at UCO Bank's Wadala branch helped catch two men who were trying to open accounts using fake papers. The accused revealed they opened around nine accounts with the bank at its different branches and were paid R2,000 for the same, cops said. Police suspect the accounts were to be used for cybercrime.

As per police, the duo had come to the bank branch on February 15 to open an account under the name Sunil Kumar Singh and had furnished an Aadhaar card and PAN card with the same name. However, a bank employee suspected the documents were fake and informed the branch manager, following which the duo were asked to verify the Aadhaar using fingerprints which did not match.

Upon questioning, the bank staffers found out that the accused were Sunny Vishnudev Mistry, 25, and Ashwinikumar Rakesh Prasad, 22, who claimed that they were asked to open the accounts by one Shashikant Kumar in exchange for money.

Bank officers further learnt about nine such accounts and informed the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg police. Cops have arrested both and are looking for the third accused in the case.

"Both the arrested accused were produced before court and have been remanded in police custody till Saturday," said Senior Inspector Kumud Kadam.

Citing that such fake accounts are used for financial and cyber frauds, he added, "We are investigating what their motive was for creating fake accounts and if these were used for cybercrime."

9
No. of accounts opened by the accused