In a significant breakthrough, a gang of ATM thieves was arrested at a police check post in Nagaon district's Simlai Pathar area, leading to the recovery of several incriminating items. The operation, led by Kampur Officer-in-Charge (OC) Debajit Bordoloi, resulted in the apprehension of three individuals on Thursday night.
Arrests and Seizures
The accused have been identified as Abdur Rahman, Alal Uddin, and Ebadur Rahman, all residents of Nagaon. During the arrest, police seized a vehicle, 30 ATM cards, 10 mobile phones, multiple chequebooks, and bank passbooks. OC Bordoloi stated, "We seized a vehicle, 30 ATM cards, 10 mobile phones, multiple chequebooks and bank passbooks. Three persons were arrested on the spot."
Modus Operandi Explained
Elaborating on the gang's methods, OC Bordoloi explained that the accused targeted people they knew and opened bank accounts in their names at banks where the process was easy. They then gained access to the account holders' ATM cards and PIN codes. In return, the account holders were promised money. These accounts were subsequently used as mule accounts for illegal transactions.
"There are multiple accounts, and they hire intermediaries to withdraw cash from the ATMs, for which the dummies receive a certain percentage in cash. The accused do it to evade arrest," he added. This sophisticated scheme allowed the gang to launder money while minimizing their own risk of detection.
Police Investigation Ongoing
The police are continuing their investigation to identify other possible accomplices and uncover the full extent of the fraudulent network. The arrested individuals are being questioned to trace additional accounts and transactions. The recovery of multiple mobile phones and chequebooks suggests a well-organized operation involving several layers of deception.
This arrest highlights the importance of vigilance in banking practices and the need for banks to strengthen their account opening procedures to prevent misuse. The public is advised to be cautious when approached with offers to open bank accounts for monetary gain, as such activities are often linked to financial crimes.
