In a significant crackdown, the Patna police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated gang responsible for a series of ATM frauds that targeted unsuspecting bank customers across the city. The operation led to the arrest of twelve individuals, including a bank employee, though the alleged mastermind remains on the run.
Modus Operandi: A Tale of Trapped Cards and Stolen PINs
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikey K Sharma, the gang employed a cunning two-pronged strategy to defraud people. Their primary method involved physically tampering with ATM machines. The criminals would apply glue inside the card slot, causing the customer's debit card to get stuck after a transaction. As the victim would panic, an accomplice strategically positioned behind them would secretly observe and steal their Personal Identification Number (PIN).
To further exploit the situation, the fraudsters had placed fake helpline numbers inside the ATM kiosk. When the distressed customer called this number, the gang member on the other end would lure them away from the machine under a false pretext. This created a window for another gang member present nearby to swiftly withdraw money using the trapped card and the stolen PIN.
Bank Insider and Mule Accounts Facilitated the Crime
The investigation revealed a deeper network that enabled the seamless transfer of stolen funds. Police confirmed that the gang utilized mule accounts to launder the money. These accounts were allegedly opened with the assistance of a complicit bank employee, who was among those arrested. This insider help was crucial in moving the illicit gains without immediate detection.
A concrete example of their scheme came to light from an incident dating back to January 5 of the previous year. A resident of Patna's Parsa Bazar area withdrew Rs 10,000 from a Central Bank of India ATM around 10:30 AM. When his card was trapped, two men on a motorcycle approached him, advising him to either visit the bank branch or call a helpline number displayed inside the booth.
Finding the helpline switched off, the customer left for the bank, leaving his card in the machine. Shortly after, he was bombarded with transaction alerts showing multiple cash withdrawals of Rs 10,000 each, followed by messages for jewellery purchases totalling Rs 61,900.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Advisory
While the police have made substantial progress with the arrests from the Gardanibagh police station area, the hunt for the gang's mastermind continues. This case highlights the evolving methods of financial fraud and the alarming involvement of banking insiders.
The Patna police have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution at ATMs. Key precautions include:
- Always shield the keypad with your hand while entering your PIN.
- Be wary of strangers offering unsolicited help near an ATM.
- Never use helpline numbers stuck on the ATM machine; use only the official number on the back of your bank card.
- If your card is trapped, immediately call your bank's 24-hour customer care to block it, and inform the bank branch in person.
This bust serves as a stern warning to fraudsters and underscores the police's commitment to safeguarding public finances in the digital age.
