PABNA, FEB 24 (V7N) - An elderly pensioner was robbed of Tk 3 lakh inside a bank after being lured away by a group of fraudsters using a distraction tactic in Pabna.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon (February 22) at the main branch of Sonali Bank in the district town.

The victim, Monirul Islam (70), a retired employee of Dhaka Government BG Press and a resident of Haridebpur village in Bera upazila, had gone to the bank to withdraw his pension money.

According to the victim, while he was inside the bank after withdrawing the cash, an unknown man approached him and claimed that there was dirt on his back. The man then advised him to go to the washroom and clean himself. Trusting him, Monirul went towards the washroom, while the suspect followed him.

Taking advantage of the situation, the robber allegedly took the bundle of Tk 3 lakh from Monirul’s bag while he was washing his hands and quickly fled the scene.

Realizing the theft, the elderly man chased the suspect shouting “thief, thief,” but failed to catch him. He later alleged that despite his cries, none of the bank staff, Ansar members at the gate, or on-duty police immediately came forward to assist.

After the incident, bank authorities reviewed the CCTV footage, which reportedly shows a group of four suspects swiftly leaving the bank premises with the stolen money. The footage also captured the suspected ringleader wearing a black jacket entering and moving inside the bank before the theft.

Abul Kalam Azad, manager of the Sonali Bank Pabna main branch, said he learned about the incident shortly after joining duty on the same day and informed the police after reviewing the CCTV footage.

Police members on duty at the bank claimed they could not respond immediately as they were not alerted loudly during the moment of the incident.

Confirming the matter, Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Dulal Hossain said that the case is being investigated with utmost importance. He added that both DB Police and Sadar Police are working jointly, and a written complaint has already been filed by the victim.

Police expressed hope that the members of the robbery gang involved in the incident will be identified and arrested soon.

END/SRP/RH/