Police in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district have made a significant arrest in a case of ATM fraud, nabbing a man from Bihar who allegedly stole Rs 1.54 lakh by using a deceptive card-trapping technique.
The Deceptive ATM Incident at Jain Market
The incident unfolded on December 14 at an ATM kiosk located in Jain Market, Chaibasa. The victim, identified as Muku Bari from Chirchi village, had gone to withdraw cash when his ATM card got inexplicably stuck inside the machine. Seizing the opportunity, two youths present near the ATM suggested that Bari call a customer care number for assistance.
Unaware of the trap, Bari dialled the provided number, which connected him to the fraudster posing as a bank representative. The accused, under the guise of helping, cleverly obtained the One-Time Password (OTP) from Bari. With this critical information, the fraudster gained full access to Bari's bank account and proceeded to siphon off Rs 1,54,000.
Police Investigation and Arrest of the Accused
The crime came to light the following day when Muku Bari visited his bank and was informed about the unauthorised transaction. He immediately filed a complaint with the Chaibasa police. Sadar sub-divisional police officer Bahaman Tuti stated that a special police team was formed to investigate the sophisticated fraud.
The team meticulously analysed CCTV footage from the ATM and gathered technical evidence, which led them to the accused. The police traced and arrested Prince Kumar (26) from Gaya in Bihar. During interrogation, Kumar confessed to his involvement in the crime.
He revealed his modus operandi: he had applied a strong adhesive inside the ATM's card slot to physically trap victims' cards. While the cardholder was distracted and seeking help, he would obtain their confidential details over the phone to orchestrate the digital theft.
A Pattern of Fraud and Ongoing Manhunt
Further investigation uncovered that Prince Kumar is not a first-time offender. He confessed to having committed similar ATM frauds at various locations across Jharkhand, indicating a serial pattern of criminal activity targeting unsuspecting bank customers.
The police have confirmed that efforts are actively underway to identify and apprehend his accomplices. The two youths who were present at the ATM and directed Bari to call the fake customer care number are believed to be part of the same gang. This arrest highlights a growing concern over physical-digital hybrid frauds at ATMs, where criminals combine simple mechanical tricks with social engineering to bypass security.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise extreme caution at ATM vestibules. Key precautions include:
- Never share your OTP, PIN, or CVV with anyone, even if they claim to be from the bank.
- If your card gets stuck, immediately call the bank's official customer care number from their website or your card, not a number provided by a stranger.
- Report any suspicious individuals or tampering with the ATM machine to the bank and police immediately.
- Preferably use ATMs located inside bank premises or in well-lit, secure areas.
