In a shocking scam that has left authorities stunned, a 23-year-old computer operator from India has been accused of embezzling over INR 210 million from the account of a state-run sports department, according to local media reports.
Harshal Kumar Kshirsagar, a contract employee with a modest salary of INR 13,000 a month, is alleged to have orchestrated the elaborate fraud by fabricating documents to transfer millions of rupees from the department’s bank account.
Police investigations reveal that Kshirsagar led a lavish lifestyle for months, purchasing luxury items such as a four-bedroom apartment, expensive cars, and even a BMW motorcycle using the stolen money.
Reports state that Kshirsagar cleverly sent a fake email to the bank requesting a change to the sports department’s account email address, using an outdated letterhead from the department. The new email address was almost identical to the old one, with just one letter changed. This allowed him to receive critical financial information, such as one-time passwords (OTPs), which enabled him to activate online banking and transfer INR 21.6 crore into 13 separate accounts between July 1 and December 7, 2023.
His spending spree included a BMW worth INR 1.2 crore, a luxury SUV priced at INR 1.3 crore, a BMW bike valued at INR 32 lakh, and a lavish apartment near Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar airport for his girlfriend. Additionally, he purchased diamond-encrusted glasses.
Two accomplices, Yashoda Shetty and BK Jeevan, have also been arrested for their role in assisting Kshirsagar’s plot. BK Jeevan allegedly used part of the stolen funds to purchase a luxury SUV valued at INR 35 lakh. The police have confiscated several high-end cars purchased with the embezzled money and are continuing their investigation into the fraudulent transactions, including reviewing the bank documents involved.
Authorities are also working to determine if other individuals were involved in the scam, while efforts are underway to recover the stolen assets.
