Outsourcing employee arrested for bank theft
RAJAHMUNDRY, INDIA — Police in the Indian district of East Godavari recently arrested Vasamsetty Ashok Kumar, an outsourcing employee, for allegedly fleeing with Rs 2.20 crore ($262,000) from HDFC Bank.
Kumar, who worked as a sorter assistant for Hitachi Cash Management Services, was apprehended while attempting to flee in a hired car.
Swift heist and escape plan
On July 26, Ashok Kumar was entrusted with Rs 3.32 crore ($396,000) by HDFC Bank for the purpose of loading ATM machines. However, he handed over only Rs 1.12 crore ($112,000) for ATM loading and kept the remaining amount for himself.
To facilitate his escape, Kumar rented a Swift Dzire car from a private travel agency and placed the cash inside when no staff was present in the bank.
Coordinated police effort leads to arrest
East Godavari Superintendent of police (SP) Narasimha Kishore quickly formed five teams to track down and arrest Kumar. Describing the initial plan, SP Kishore noted,
“The accused belongs to Machara village under Kapileswara Puram mandal in Konaseema district, and he kept Rs 2, 20, 50,000 with him.”
He added, “As part of the plan to loot, he hired a Swift Dzire car from a private travel agency on his own and placed the remaining cash with him in the car when there was no staff in the bank.”
Interception and recovery of stolen funds
During a routine vehicle check in Chakradwarabhandham village in Raja Nagaram mandal, police intercepted Kumar’s car and found Rs 1,00,000 ($1,194) inside.
Upon questioning, Kumar revealed that he had stashed the remaining Rs 2.20 crore in a rented apartment and had taken Rs 1,00,000 from the total amount to spend. The police subsequently seized the remaining Rs 2.19 crore from the apartment.
Motive behind the theft
The police indicated that Kumar’s actions were driven by bad friendships and habits. A case has been registered against him under sections 318(4), 316(2), and 316(5) BNS in One Town Police Station in Rajahmundry.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent security measures and vigilant monitoring in financial institutions.
