SBI topped the list in terms of fraud occurrences between 2018-19 and 2020-21Banks and financial institutions always run the risk of being exposed to fraudulent activities and siphoning of funds through illegal means.While several measures have been drafted by the Central Government as well as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to insulate banks from such activities, still, as per official estimates, incidents of frauds occur across banks and states.In fact in some banks and states, such incidents have been reported in thousands.In terms of fraudulent activities, the country’s largest lender – State Bank of India (SBI) – topped the list with 14,431 cases, followed by Central Bank of India with 2,299, Union Bank of India with 1,184 fraud cases and Punjab National Bank with 1,040 fraud cases on the basis of occurrence.These fraud cases were reported in these banks between 2018-19 and 2020-21, according to data compiled by the Finance Ministry.In addition to this, as far as states are concerned, Maharashtra reported the maximum number of fraud cases in banks during the same period.It reported a whopping 83,032 such cases, followed by Haryana (23,208 cases), Delhi (22,343), Tamil Nadu (20,328), Uttar Pradesh (14,841) and Karnataka with 11,878 cases.While cases of fraud are often reported across banks and states, almost on a regular basis, there are several measures which financial institutions take to deter fraudsters and defaulters.Let us have a look at some of these steps.An online searchable database of frauds reported by banks, in the form of Central Fraud Registry, has been set up to enable timely identification, control and mitigation of fraud risk. Also banks carry out due diligence during the credit sanction process.Government’s framework for large value frauds in public sector banks mandates that an examination must be initiated for wilful default immediately upon reporting fraud to RBI. Also, a report on the borrower be sought from the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau in case an account turns into a non performing asset (NPA).The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 has been enacted which enables attachment of property of a fugitive economic offender, confiscation of such offender’s property and disentitlement of the offender from defending any civil claim.In addition to this, RBI has also issued a direction for classification and reporting of frauds by commercial banks and select financial institutions.This is meant to direct the focus of banks on the aspects relating to prevention, early detection, prompt reporting to RBI and the investigating agencies and timely initiation of the staff accountability proceedings.
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