Mischievous SMSes stating “RBI has cancelled the bank’s licence” targeted to tarnish Banks image as it prepares for its 75th Anniversary
In a rather shocking and dangerous trend that needs serious investigation at the highest levels of the police and the CBI, pranksters have adopted an old time approach of spreading rumours that could, if unchecked undermine the very structure of the Indian banking system.
And the latest victim to this malicious attack is the Kapol Cooperative Bank. Since yesterday morning wild rumours stating that “”RBI cancelled licences of Kapol Bank if any body have money please take it as soon as possible. Please inform if anyone has the account in the bank”…” “Kapol Bank Marve Branch ma bahu moti line lagi che there is a rumour in mkt ke bank uthi gai che plz withdraw a money in Kapol Bank any branch plz passed on message on u r friend relative etc”
As the rumour spread like wildfire, worried customers rushed to make inquiries. However, the 75 year old bank which stands on solid financial ground with total business about Rs 1800 cores has refuted any shortcomings and has lodged a complaint with the Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Police. It has also sent letters to Police Commissioner Dr. Satya Pal Singh; Joint Police Commissioner, Crime Himanshu Roy and Addl. Police Commissioner, North Region Sunil Parasker seeking their urgent intervention into the issue.
Says K.D. Vora, Chairman Emirates of Kapol Cooperative Bank “since the morning of 9th April 2013, some people are spreading false rumours by way of multiple bulk SMS and also sending messages via WhatsUp application, which is highly damaging to the reputation of the Kapol Bank. As Kapol Bank is approaching towards 75 years, we are changing the face of our bank by new logo and new schemes as well as also appointing a Brand Ambassador TV actor Dilip Joshi and arranging a function for the same on 12th April 2013.
The Bank is progressing well with the total business about Rs. 1800 crore using the strength of 385 staff members. As the business is growing, some anti-social elements are trying to deface the Bank’s image via SMS and other means.”