Ask Onix
Gunmen posing as RBI officials steal $800,000 in Bengaluru daylight heist
Armed robbers impersonating Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials stole 70 million rupees ($800,000) from a cash transport van in broad daylight on Wednesday in Bengaluru, Karnataka's capital, police confirmed.
How the robbery unfolded
The heist occurred mid-afternoon on a busy road as the van moved funds between bank branches, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told reporters. Six men in an SUV intercepted the vehicle, which carried a driver, a cash custodian, and two armed guards.
Claiming to be RBI officials, the gang demanded to verify transport documents for the large sum. They ordered the custodian and guards to leave their weapons in the van and enter the SUV, while the driver continued with the cash. After following the van for several kilometers, the robbers forced the driver out, transferred the money at gunpoint, and fled.
Investigation and clues
Police are probing whether the gang used multiple vehicles, as the area had limited CCTV coverage. The abandoned SUV, bearing a fake license plate and a "Government of India" sticker, was later recovered, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed. However, Home Minister G. Parameshwara noted that the escape vehicle remains unidentified, stating, "It was verified that they changed vehicles and moved the money."
Authorities are also examining potential insider involvement, though no arrests have been made. The cash transport company has filed an official complaint.
Recent high-profile heists in Karnataka
This incident follows a May robbery in Vijayapura district, where thieves used a duplicate locker key to steal 59 kg of gold worth 532.6 million rupees. Police recovered 39 kg of gold and arrested 15 suspects, including two former bank employees.
Parameshwara expressed confidence in a swift resolution, citing past successes: "We have solved other high-profile bank robberies in Karnataka, and we will solve this one too."
