Taking cognisance of the misuse of technology in committing fraud, Punjab National Bank has been directed by the Ombudsman to return over Rs seven lakh with interest to a victim.

In its recent directive, the Banking Ombudsman has asked the nationalised bank to put in place strict measures to check such illegal activities.

The curious case of phishing involves a senior manager with Dabur India Ltd, Sahibabad, who lost about Rs eight lakh in the fraud.

Early last year, S P Yatri got an SMS from ICICI bank saying his equated monthly installment through Electronic Clearing System for February 2010 had bounced. Surprised over the text message, Yatri rushed to a nearby ATM to find that he had a balance of only Rs 526.

He then contacted the bank's call centre only to be told that all his money had been fraudulently transferred to 13 different account holders of PNB in different states like Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.

Realising that he had become a victim of online fraud, Yatri went to Preet Vihar Police Station and lodged an FIR on February 16, 2010 in this regard.

PTI had in September last year reported the incident, which had prompted the authorities to act on it.

"I had written to Union Home Ministry. Besides, I met senior police officials also... I approached the Banking Ombudsman. After a year of my complaint, they have now passed an order," Yatri said.

"Punjab National Bank is directed to immediately refund an amount of Rs 7,02,291 to the complainant against an indemnity bond. The bank is also directed to pay interest at the applicable F.D. (Fixed Deposit) rates to the complainant from the date of withdrawal till the date of actual credit," the order said.

"The bank is also directed to provide-additional checks for changing of transaction password, mobile numbers etc. for internet banking to prevent phishing and also to prevent changes being made without proper verification/mandate," it said.

Banking Ombudsman act as a quasi judicial (to have powers of a court) authority for the Government of India to look into complaints relating to certain services rendered by the banks.