A new form of ATM fraud has been uncovered in Tirumalagiri, where thieves used tape to block cash from dispensing, defrauding at least 12 users of over Rs 90,000.
The police arrested the suspects, identified as Atik Ahmed and Mohammad Danish, and seized Rs 75,000 in cash, two mobile phones, and a car. The scam came to light when a customer at an SBI ATM in the Secunderabad Cantonment attempted to withdraw money but didn’t receive any, despite receiving a transaction confirmation. The customer reported the incident to SBI the following day, which led to a thorough investigation.
In a press briefing, ACP Gujja Ramesh revealed that Atik Ahmed and Mohammad Danish, both from Uttar Pradesh, had been working as cab drivers in Mumbai. They had recently come to Hyderabad and targeted the SBI ATM in Tirumalagiri. The duo applied tape over the cash dispensing slot to block withdrawals, causing customers to assume the ATM was malfunctioning. Meanwhile, the suspects would remove the tape and take the withdrawn cash for themselves.
The police tracked the suspects after receiving credible information and arrested them when they returned from Chennai. A case has been filed, and investigations continue.
