Diverted contributions made by lottery workers to own bank account; clerk commits multi-crore fraud at Lottery Welfare Fund Board

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A major financial fraud has been uncovered at the Lottery Welfare Fund Board, with Vigilance officials finding that a clerk named Sangeeth misappropriated contribution amounts paid by lottery workers. He allegedly diverted these funds into his own bank account. Interestingly, the fraud initially went undetected even during audits. It was only after Vigilance received a complaint backed by concrete evidence that a covert probe was initiated, ultimately revealing the financial misconduct.

In 2018 alone, Sangeeth is reported to have transferred Rs 80 lakh in two separate instances into his personal and a relative’s bank account. Following the Vigilance report, the Lottery Welfare Fund Board conducted its own inquiry, which revealed financial discrepancies totalling Rs 1.5 crore in the preliminary phase itself.

Sangeeth served at the Lottery Welfare Fund Board between 2018 and 2021 before being posted to the Lottery Directorate. However, investigators allege that he continued withdrawing funds using the Board's cheques even after his transfer. Welfare Fund Board Chairman T. B. Subair stated that the Finance Audit Wing in the Secretariat is currently examining all related financial transactions.

A formal complaint has been filed with the Museum Police Station, but an official case has not been registered yet, as the Vigilance investigation is still ongoing. Sangeeth is currently under suspension in connection with a different matter.