Fake grant scam in GBA’s name: Citizens duped with bogus demand drafts

Fraudsters posing as GBA officials have cheated several people by issuing fake grant-related DDs with forged signatures of senior officers. The GBA Chief Commissioner has called it a criminal offence and urged victims to file police complaints.

A major fraud has surfaced in Bengaluru where conmen have been issuing fake demand drafts (DDs) in the name of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), luring innocent citizens with promises of government grants. The scam has led to several people losing large sums of money.

According to reports, the fraudsters approached residents claiming that the GBA was offering a ₹3 lakh grant. They allegedly collected ₹50,000 each from several people as a “processing fee” to release the grant. To make the fraud appear legitimate, they even created fake DDs that looked identical to official ones used by the civic body.

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These forged DDs reportedly carried fake signatures of the GBA Commissioner and officials from the accounts section. When victims tried to deposit the DDs in their banks, they were rejected as “bounced” due to being counterfeit.

Distressed citizens who approached the GBA office to question the issue were shocked to learn that no such grant or payment scheme exists. Officials clarified that the GBA never provides monetary grants to individuals in any form.

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Reacting to the incident, GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao termed the act a criminal offence and said FIRs must be filed against those involved. He also urged citizens not to fall prey to such scams and to always verify official communications.

“This kind of fraud is punishable under law. People should remain cautious and avoid paying money to anyone without verification. We will extend full support to those who have been cheated,” he said.

Officials confirmed that the civic body will assist victims in filing police complaints and ensure that those behind the fake DD racket are traced and prosecuted.