Cybercriminals siphon over ₹22 crore from Tamil Nadu rural development funds
The BJP has criticised the TVK-led government following the alleged theft of funds meant for rural healthcare infrastructure.
Cybercriminals allegedly siphoned off over ₹22 crore from the Tamil Nadu Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Directorate bank account between October 12 and 30, according to reports by The Hindu and The New Indian Express.
The funds, which were part of the 15th Finance Commission Health Sector Grants, were intended for strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure and services in rural areas.
The money was held in a Single Nodal Account at the HDFC Bank CIT Nagar branch. K.R. Ramprasad, a Block Development Officer attached to the Directorate, lodged a complaint with the Chennai Commissioner of Police regarding the unauthorised transfers.
The New Indian Express reported that the largest amount, ₹14 crore, was taken from an account linked to Mandapam in Ramanathapuram district, while ₹5 crore was diverted from Dharapuram in Tiruppur district and ₹3.10 crore from Tambaram.
The Chennai Central Crime Branch's Cyber Crime wing suspects an international cybercrime syndicate, possibly a Nigerian gang, may be involved. Investigators are examining if bank personnel were involved or if government officials' login credentials were compromised.
The BJP has targeted Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay over the incident. BJP state secretary Vinoj P Selvam questioned the government's ability to safeguard public funds, noting that the money was meant for rural development and public welfare.