Noida:
Police in Noida have arrested a man accused of defrauding nearly 50 people by swapping their ATM cards at cash withdrawal kiosks. The arrest was made by the Phase-2 police station team, which also recovered 12 ATM cards of different banks from the accused.
According to police officials, the accused used a card-swapping technique to cheat unsuspecting individuals who had come to ATM booths to withdraw money. By distracting victims and exchanging their cards with similar-looking ones, he allegedly gained access to their bank accounts and withdrew cash fraudulently.
The operation was carried out by the Noida Phase-2 police following complaints from victims who reported unauthorized withdrawals from their accounts. During the investigation, officers tracked the suspect’s activities and apprehended him. Upon search, 12 ATM cards belonging to different banks were found in his possession.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the accused targeted customers who appeared unfamiliar with ATM procedures or were facing difficulty operating the machines. He would offer assistance and, during the interaction, discreetly swap their cards. The victims would often remain unaware of the exchange until they later discovered fraudulent transactions from their accounts.
Police officials stated that the accused had cheated around 50 people using this method. Further investigation is underway to determine the total amount siphoned off and whether more victims are involved. Authorities are also examining CCTV footage from various ATM kiosks to gather additional evidence and trace the full extent of the fraud.
The recovered ATM cards are being verified to identify their rightful owners. Police have urged anyone who suspects they may have fallen victim to similar fraud to immediately report the matter to the nearest police station or cybercrime helpline.
Officials emphasized the importance of vigilance while using ATMs. Customers are advised not to share their PIN with anyone, avoid accepting help from strangers inside ATM booths, and immediately block their card if they suspect it has been swapped or misused.
The accused has been taken into custody, and legal proceedings have been initiated. Police said further details will emerge as the investigation progresses.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to curbing financial fraud in the region and warned fraudsters of strict action under the law.
