ATM robbery in Thiruvanathapuram by three foreigners using camera trap
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a suspected case of hi-tech ATM robbery in Thiruvananthapuram, several thousands of rupees have been withdrawn by unknown persons from the accounts of a number of customers without their knowledge.
20 people lost about Rs 4.5 lakhs in Thiruvananthapuram. The racket was busted after many people filed a complaint with the police, following messages they had received on their phone intimating them about transactions, which were unknown to them. Media reports state that most customers lost their money on Monday around 1pm.
People who used the ATM of a public sector bank at Althara junction at Vellayambalam at the city centre, were shocked to find varying amounts withdrawn from their accounts without their knowledge.
Credit to ManoramaNews
It is suspected that the robbery was made after installing a particular electronic device at the ATM counter, enabling the fraudsters to collect the secret pin code and card details through it.
Many of the customers who were duped came to know about the fraud after they received a text message today, saying that money was withdrawn from their accounts.
City Police Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said 16 persons had so far approached the bank with complaints that money was withdrawn from their accounts and added that investigation was going on.
“As per our knowledge, the manager of the public sector bank so far received 16 such complaints. They will formally hand it over to police soon. Our primary assumption is those who used the ATM at Althara had lost money,” Mr Kumar said.
Police have collected a device from the ATM counter, but it was too early to state if the money was withdrawn using it, he said.
The state’s Special Investigation Team has obtained CCTV video from the SBI ATM at Althara Junction near Vellayambalam, where all the fraudulent transactions were carried out. The video shows three people attaching an electronic device at the ATM counter, enabling the fraudsters to collect the PIN code and card details.
The device that was fixed above the ATM machine, had a micro camera and another device was placed in the card slot of the machine. According to the police, the micro camera might have helped in getting the ATM PINs.
We have started proper investigation. As per our understanding they were here for the last 10 days. As we assume they have not got any local support. Our request to public is to change their pin numbers at the earliest. As of now we found device only from this particular ATM. Between June 30 to July 10 they have visited the ATM. We have also intimidated CBI, Interpol and other national agencies regarding this,” Inspector General Manoj K Abraham, who heads the SIT told TNM.
SBI has promised to refund customers whose money was stolen.
To their surprise, the cash was withdrawn from ATMs in north India. People who used the ATM counters at Alathara, Vattiyoorkavu and Peroorkada were the ones who lost their money
According to Manorama News, the police have identified three foreigners as suspects. The police will seek Center’s help for tracing these men. The head of state police Loknath Behera will submit a detailed report to Secretary of Home Affairs in New Delhi on Tuesday
