Scam worth Rs 110 bn: PNB detects fraud transactions; stock price drops 7%
Scam worth Rs 110 bn: PNB detects fraud transactions; stock price drops 7% on Business Standard. The scam could turn out to be the biggest scam in Indian corporate history
Latest News In what may turn out to be one of the biggest scams in Indian corporate history, Punjab National Bank has detected fraudulent transactions worth around Rs 110 billion from one of its Mumbai branch allegedly by diamond merchant Nirav Modi, his relatives and business partner Mehul Choksi during this year. PNB share prices fell around 7% in the early trade on Wednesday morning after the bank reported fraudulent transactions worth $1.77 billion to Bombay Stock Exchange. “The bank has detected some fraudulent and unauthorised transactions (messages) in one of its branch in Mumbai for the benefit of a few select account holders with their apparent connivance. Based on these transactions other banks appear to have advanced money to these customers abroad," Delhi-based public sector bank said in its BSE filing. The bank said that the transactions are contingent in nature and liability arising out of these on the bank will be decided based on the law and genuineness of underlying transactions. “The matter was already referred to law enforcement agencies to examine and book the culprits as per law of the land. The bank is committed to clean and transparent banking," PNB said. On February 5, the PNB had said in a statement that its preliminary investigations showed that it had come across suspected fraud amounting to Rs 2.8
billion. “Punjab National Bank has come across certain fraudulent Letter of Undertakings issued by two of its employees namely Gokulnath Shetty and Manoj Hanument Kharat at Brady House Branch Mumbai in connivance with firm belonging to Nirav Modi, Nishal Modi, Ami Nirav Modi and Mehul Chinubhai Choksi partners of M/S Diamond R US, M/S Solar Exports and M/S Stellar Diamond,” the bank had said in a statement. The bank immediately referred the case to Central Bureau of Investigation. “On unearthing these fraudulent activities, the bank rejected the request for roll-over and decided to inform the regulator and CBI for investigation,” the bank had said. Acting on the complaint, the CBI filed an FIR against businessmen Nirav Modi, his wife Ami, his brother Nishal and Mehul Choksi.
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