Kerala Police to Seek Custody of Uttar Pradesh Man in ATM Card Theft and PIN Change Scam
Aluva police in Kerala are preparing to seek custody of an Uttar Pradesh resident who was arrested for withdrawing cash after stealing ATM cards. The move is part of a deeper investigation into a series of thefts across the state and beyond.
Accused Has Multiple Cases and Similar Modus Operandi
According to police sources, preliminary investigations reveal that the accused, identified as Imran Khan, a 34-year-old resident of Aligarh, has several cases registered against him in Kerala. Authorities are probing whether his methods match the modus operandi in other similar thefts reported statewide.
The theft occurred on March 14 when Khan allegedly stole a wallet and phone from the storage space of a scooter belonging to a Thrissur native. The victim was at the Aluva TCS iON Exam Centre for an examination at the time.
Duplicate Keys and Sophisticated Techniques Uncovered
During the arrest, police recovered around 10 duplicate keys from Khan, which are capable of opening most vehicles. He was found with stolen items from Coimbatore, indicating a pattern of targeting wallets and phones in combination.
An officer involved in the case stated, "He had a phone with him that he used to change ATM PIN numbers. He would insert SIM cards from stolen phones into his own device to facilitate these changes."
Police Track IMEI Number to Nab Accused
Investigators tracked the IMEI number of the phone used to change the ATM PINs, which eventually led them to Khan. The probe into the IMEI number is ongoing to uncover more details about his background and potential involvement in other crimes.
Police have noted that similar thefts have been reported not only in Aluva but also in locations such as Kollam-Kilikollur, Thrissur, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, suggesting a wider criminal network.
The case highlights concerns over ATM security and the innovative methods employed by criminals to bypass financial safeguards. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant with their personal belongings, especially in crowded areas like exam centers.
