CHENNAI: The MKB Nagar police have arrested a 55-year-old man for swindling money from people by stealing and using their ATM cards. The police recovered 271 ATM cards, a two-wheeler, and `6,500 in cash from him.
Under the guise of helping people with ATM transactions, K Babu, a labourer at a Central government company, would steal their cards and give them fake ones, police said. The issue came to light on September 6 when a victim, Jacqueline, tried to activate her ATM card at an ATM near Ambattur. She sought help from Babu, who was waiting in line posing as an ATM user.
He tried to activate her card but told her it didn’t work. He then allegedly stole her card and gave her another one. Later, Jacqueline received a message saying Rs 29,500 was debited from her account. She then checked her card and noticed it was not hers. She lodged a complaint with the police and Babu was arrested.