HYDERABAD: Five persons hailing from Haryana were arrested by Charminar police allegedly for their frequent involvement in ATM fraud offences. Three others belonging to the gang are absconding, the police said. The police also seized 11 ATM cards from their possession.
“The gang is involved in numerous fraudulent transactions in Tri-Commissionerates and has been committing (such acts) for three months in the city. They perform genuine transactions with their original cards. While the dispenser is furnishing the requested amount, they turn off the machine by switching off the power. The accused collects the cash from the dispenser but the transaction would be showing as an ‘error’ to the bank, allowing them to file a complaint,” a police official said. Allegedly, `5 lakh were withdrawn in the same manner within a span of three months.
Exploited weak link: DCP
Gajarao Bhupal, South Zone DCP, said, “Most of the transactions were done during the weekdays since the bank refund are processed in four working days. Commonly used were the HDFC and Axis bank cards and withdrawal used to be carried out at SBI ATMs due to the greater number of outlets available, even in isolated places.”
The gang exploited the communication gap between the banks, he added. If the ATM and card are from the same bank, the refund is processed within four days after the complaint is registered, but when two different banks are involved, the enquiry process takes longer and the offenders made use of it, he explained.
Labourer held for attempting ATM theft
A daily wage labourer who tried to break an Axis Bank ATM in Bandlaguda under Rajendranagar police station limits got caught after the alarm went off. Circle Inspector Kanakaiah of Rajendranagar police station, said, “The ATM is located in Bandlaguda and the accused G Naresh, 25, attempted the theft late at night. The regular patrolling that was taking place in the same limits were alerted as soon as the alarm went off. The police caught and apprehended him and he was charged under Section 380 of the IPC.”