My father’s SBI PPF account was closed by someone else fraudulently a few months ago. What are the options here?

[Silentpanda169]

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Silentpanda169
PARTICIPANT
April 5, 2025 at 4:34 pm

My father had a PPF account at SBI (opened in the 80s). While depositing money in the account this year he found that the account had been closed by someone else in December 2024, who had transferred the money to their own savings account.

The people at the SBI branch initially refused to believe that it was closed by someone else- however on pushing them, they showed the account had been closed by someone else (Different name, address, signature did not match) and the ppf money sent to their savings account. It is appalling that this happened when clearly this was fraudulent.

This person apparently has withdrawn most of the ppf money from their savings account.
My question is therefore- what should my father do here? Would SBI be forced to return his money (because SBI clearly did not do their job of checking things)? Should we file a FIR against SBI? Is there a chance the money can be gotten back?

Apologies if this all sounds a bit lost and confused. I am still reeling from this discovery. This was very hard earned money of my septuagenarian father that had been saved over more than forty years bit by bit. I would super appreciate any advice or stories of experiences. Thank you.

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[Braveseeker242]

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Braveseeker242
PARTICIPANT
April 5, 2025 at 6:15 pm

Waw. Scary.

You can reach out to money life NGO. They help such unique cyber victims. Suchita Dalal is owner.

Give written complaint to bank manager. Take acknowledgement.

Ask for complaint register and write down complaint.

Also register complaint on DPG portal.

After 30 days, register complaint to RBI ombudsman.
30 days is limit. You can’t go to RBI ombudsman before that.

After 1 week of RBI ombudsman complaint, file RTI requesting status of your complaint.

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[Silentsangita9853]

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Silentsangita9853
PARTICIPANT
April 6, 2025 at 3:52 am

Do exactly as this person says and additionally file an FIR.

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[Ashishmaster940]

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Ashishmaster940
PARTICIPANT
April 5, 2025 at 9:30 pm

Immediately file an FIR

report it to nodal officer bank, RBI ombudsman

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[Miteshfox481]

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Miteshfox481
PARTICIPANT
April 5, 2025 at 10:21 pm

File fir immediately

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[Primeowl5754]

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Primeowl5754
PARTICIPANT
April 6, 2025 at 8:12 am

First step.File written complaint with branch. Ask for freeze on proceeds credited to wrong SB Account. Put the onusvon the branch to get the money back from customer. Ideally bank should reimburse you the balance, but if they get the money back from customer..it should be ok. Ask Bank to compensate you for 3 months interest also till March 2025. If they show reluctance escalate the complaint to nodal officer first and then to RBI BO if necessary

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