The Special Task Force (STF) arrested three key members of an inter-state ATM fraud gang from the Madiaon area in Lucknow on Thursday. The arrested individuals — Parvez Khan, Sahil Ahmad, and Muktadeer — were part of a network involved in tampering with ATM machines and tricking customers into losing money from their accounts.
ASP (STF) Amit Nagar stated that the team had been tracking the gang based on intelligence inputs for several days. On the night of August 27, specific information was received that gang members were planning to target ATMs in Lucknow. Acting swiftly, a team led by Inspector Dilip Tiwari and Sub-Inspectors Vinod Singh and Ashok Gupta apprehended the trio.
Upon arrest, police recovered 39 ATM cards and three mobile phones from the accused.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to operating a well-organized ATM fraud operation across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Haryana, and the Delhi NCR. Their modus operandi involved tampering with ATM machines by cutting the wiring near the cash tray and attaching double-sided adhesive tape. When an unsuspecting user attempted a withdrawal, the cash would appear stuck, leading them to believe the transaction had failed. Once the customer left, the gang would return and retrieve the trapped cash.
The STF continues to investigate the extent of the gang’s operations and their possible connections in other states.
