In a significant breakthrough, the Nandgram police in Ghaziabad have apprehended two notorious scammers, Sahil and Salman, accused of targeting unsuspecting ATM users through a cunning card-swapping scheme. The duo was arrested near an HDFC ATM at Parsuram Chowk, where officers observed their suspicious behavior.
Upon their capture, police discovered an astonishing 55 ATM cards from various banks in their possession, indicating a larger operation beyond mere petty theft. Assistant Commissioner of Police Poonam Mishra noted that the accused confessed to a deceptive method for executing their scam.
The scammers would approach an ATM, apply a small amount of Fevikwik adhesive to the card slot, and wait for a user to insert their card and enter their PIN. When the card became stuck, they would offer assistance, seamlessly swapping the user’s card with one from their pockets while pretending to help. Once the victim left, they would use the swapped card to withdraw cash and disappear.
To evade detection by CCTV cameras, Sahil and Salman wore helmets and used a Bullet motorcycle, which they believed would lend them an air of authority and trustworthiness.
The police recovered Rs20,000 in cash along with the motorcycle used in their scams. Additionally, Sahil and Salman have been linked to multiple incidents at ATMs belonging to AXIS Bank, Indian Bank, and Punjab National Bank.
According to ACP Mishra, there are five registered cases against the duo at the Nandgram police station for similar crimes. The recovered ATM cards include valid cards from major banks such as HDFC, ICICI, SBI, and AXIS. The police are now contacting the respective banks to gather more information on the cards and their owners.
This case serves as a critical reminder for ATM users to remain vigilant and protect their PINs while using automated teller machines.