ATM Robbers Nabbed After Looting Cash By Swapping Debit Cards

Berhampur: Two criminals have been arrested by Chhatrapur police on charges of fraudulently withdrawing Rs 6.4 lakhs from the account of a person by swapping his ATM card.

As per reports, the prime accused Simanchal Sahu had withdrew the money from the account of the complainant by cleverly swapping his debit card with another after he forgot to collect his card at an SBI ATM kiosk in Chhatrapur last month.

The complainant had reportedly forgotten his debit card inside the ATM kiosk after withdrawing around Rs 20,000 in three instalments. Taking benefit of the situation, accused Sahu exchanged the debit card and handed over the complainant with another card.

Later the accused used the ATM card to purchase gold ornaments and a motorcycle,” said Chhatrapur Additional SP, Thakur Prasad Patra.

According to the police, the accused and his accomplice were nabbed after the complainant lodged an FIR. The identity of the prime accused was ascertained after verification of CCTV footage of the ATM kiosk.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the two accused were involved in at least 19 cases of ATM frauds mostly in southern Odisha. They were also involved in similar crimes in Malkangiri, Nuapada, Ganjam and Khordha districts.

“Both the accused were arrested for their involvement in five ATM fraud cases and were released last year. The duo mostly used to target elderly persons and others by offering them to withdraw money from the ATM kiosks,” said Patra.

Chhatrapur Additional SP further informed that the criminals used to stand beside other customers to learn their private personal identification number. Thereafter they use them to withdraw money after swapping the cards on the pretext of offering help.

“We have seized Rs 2 lakh, 10 ATM cards and two motorcycles from the possession of both the accused,” police added.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)