Rs 9 lakh looted from ATM in Odisha, two detained

The miscreants made away with currency notes of 2000 and 500 denominations by opening the cash box with a password which is known to only two persons working with the cash deposit agency.
Police inspecting the ATM counter at Jatni market on Tuesday. (EPS)
Police inspecting the ATM counter at Jatni market on Tuesday. (EPS)

BHUBANESWAR: Miscreants looted over Rs 9 lakh from an ATM at Jatni in Khurda district by opening the cash chamber of the kiosk.

The incident which took place between May 12 and 13 at the Bank of India ATM located near Taraboi market came to light on Monday when bank officials lodged a complaint with the police.

The miscreants made away with currency notes of 2000 and 500 denominations by opening the cash box with a password which is known to only two persons working with the cash deposit agency.

An official of the agency said the ATM was replenished with Rs 12 lakh on May 12.

The theft has taken place a day later. While a certain amount is learnt to have been withdrawn by genuine customers, the rest, amounting to around Rs 9 lakh was looted, he said.

While the cash chamber has to be opened mechanically with a combination password known to two individuals only, police suspected the involvement of cash deposit agency personnel in the theft.

Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said, the first half of the secret password is known to a particular staff while the rest is with a senior personnel of the cash deposit firm.

“We strongly suspect that the password has been shared with miscreants. Involvement of the company staffers cannot be ruled out at this stage and all angles are being investigated,” he said.

On Monday, an FIR was registered by Jatni police which later sealed the ATM counter.

The cash box of the ATMs is not linked to any computer, so the possibility of software hacking has been ruled out at the preliminary stage of investigation, Bhoi added.

On Tuesday, a team of forensic experts visited the spot and collected circumstantial evidence. Inspector-in-charge of Jatni Sanjib Mohanty said, two persons employed with the private agency have been detained for questioning and further investigation is on. 

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