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NEW DELHI: Investigation into the multi-crore fake education loan racket has revealed that the scamsters preferred to open bank accounts in nationalized banks to gain the confidence of their victims. The cops were stunned to find a large number of bank accounts of nationalized banks like State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of India — where it is difficult to open an account.

Subsequent investigation revealed that officials of some bank branches threw the rules and regulation aside while opening the bank accounts in the name of the scamsters and their fake companies. The crime branch had on Friday arrested two men — identified as Abhishek Hasija (24) and his brother Tanishk Hasija (21) — who helped Varun Sardana, the gang leader, to open bank accounts in various nationalized banks.

The two were arrested from Tilak Nagar in west Delhi and were taken on police remand. Abhishek, a graduate from Delhi University, is to get married on November 16. He is being questioned by officers of the crime branch. He told us that they helped open more than 100 accounts in the past six months to various organizations. They used to bribe the staff of the banks to get accounts opened.

"We have taken the details of all these banks accounts and are communicating with the vigilance branches of these banks," said additional DCP (crime) Joy Tirkey.

Police have also obtained the details of the banks accounts operated by them. "We have also taken samples of their handwriting and the one in the documents used that were used to open bank accounts. Bank officials did not exercise caution while opening bank accounts in their names. Tanisk, who is still pursuing graduation from a DU college, told the police that they used to get Rs 10,000 for opening each account and it was an easy way to earn money," said a police officer.

The crime branch of Delhi Police had unearthed the education loan racket on November 1, and arrested eight persons, including five girls, for allegedly duping more than 500 students. Investigations revealed that the scamsters had 18 ATM cards and 47 unused SIM cards. The accounts in these nationalized banks helped them gain credence and no one ever suspected them of any foul play, the officer added.

Thirteen registers with details of transactions, one laptop, one desktop computer and other documents were seized from them and these items have been sent for forensic examination.

Sardana is the gang leader. He used to work in a multinational bank earlier. He roped in two of his friends, Himanshu and Sunny, who hired girls. These girls used to call students and lured them with attractive schemes.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Education-loan-scam-Two-men-arrested-for-helping-kingpin/articleshow/6927102.cms