The Kasturba Marg Police have arrested 37-year-old Francis Patrick Fernandes for allegedly running a debit card swapping racket targeting senior citizens in Borivali East.
Fernandes was apprehended outside an ATM booth on Carter Road No. 9, where police recovered a staggering 71 debit cards from his bag. According to investigators, he lived with his widower father, who is paralysed.
How the Scam Operated
Police revealed that Fernandes allegedly learned the method from a group of youths from Uttar Pradesh who frequently visited Mumbai to carry out ATM fraud. Over time, he reportedly turned the scheme into a full-time operation, cheating multiple victims over several months.
His alleged modus operandi included:
Targeting elderly individuals at ATMs in Borivali East
Offering assistance under the pretext of helping them withdraw cash
Secretly observing their PIN numbers
Swapping their debit cards and later withdrawing money
Authorities say he cheated at least three victims on February 7, 10, and 13 using this method.
The Case That Led to His Arrest
The breakthrough came after 75-year-old Santosh Shiva Naik visited a Bank of India ATM on February 7 around 11:45 am. Fernandes allegedly offered help, memorised Naik’s PIN, swapped the card, and later withdrew ₹10,000 from the victim’s account.
CCTV footage analysis showed Fernandes frequently visiting the ATM every few days, apparently scouting for elderly victims. Acting on this pattern, the Crime Detection team laid a trap outside the ATM and detained him on February 17, leading to his arrest.
Police Team Behind the Operation
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Jayraj Ranaware, along with:
PI Jaymala Vasave
API Sarla Thorat
PSI Dhiraj Vaykos
PSI Aniket Shinde
Fernandes has been booked under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(d) of the IT Act.
Police Advisory
Police have issued a strong advisory urging citizens — especially senior citizens — never to share their debit cards or PIN numbers with strangers under any circumstances.
