Kolkata Senior Citizen Falls Victim to Elaborate ATM Card Swap Scam, Loses Nearly Rs 90,000
A distressing case of financial fraud has emerged from Kolkata, where a 69-year-old senior citizen residing in Survey Park was allegedly duped of approximately Rs 89,960 through a sophisticated ATM card swap scheme. The victim, whose identity has been withheld, officially lodged a complaint with the Survey Park Police Station on Friday, bringing the incident to light.
Details of the Alleged ATM Fraud Incident
According to police reports, the fraudulent activity occurred on December 20 at an ATM kiosk belonging to a public bank located in Jadavpur Sandhyabazar. The victim was reportedly approached by an unidentified individual who managed to exchange the senior citizen's debit card with another card during the transaction process. The accused swiftly left the premises after executing this deceptive swap.
Within minutes of the card exchange, four separate cash withdrawals of Rs 10,000 each were conducted from a private bank ATM situated near the Jadavpur 8B bus stand. Police investigation revealed that the fraudulent activities did not stop there. A statement was subsequently generated from another private bank's ATM kiosk in the same vicinity, indicating further unauthorized access.
Subsequent Unauthorized Transactions and Financial Impact
The compromised debit card was allegedly utilized for multiple purchases later that same day, significantly amplifying the financial loss. The fraudulent transactions included:
- A jewellery purchase worth Rs 37,400 at Baruipur
- A liquor purchase from an outlet totaling Rs 3,560 and Rs 200
- A fuel purchase of Rs 9,000 at a petrol pump near Dhapdhapi station
These unauthorized purchases amounted to Rs 49,960, bringing the total financial loss from the scam to Rs 89,960 when combined with the initial cash withdrawals.
Additional Financial Complications and Ongoing Investigation
In a compounding development, police authorities disclosed that besides the direct monetary loss, approximately Rs 35 lakh of the victim's funds remained frozen in the aftermath of the fraudulent activities. This freezing of assets has created additional financial strain for the senior citizen, exacerbating the impact of the scam.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that a thorough probe is currently underway to identify the perpetrator and unravel the full extent of the fraudulent network. The investigation is focusing on the sequence of events, the multiple locations involved in the transactions, and the methods employed by the accused to execute such a coordinated financial deception.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by senior citizens in digital financial transactions and highlights the importance of vigilance at ATM kiosks. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities immediately to prevent similar occurrences.
