he Chandigarh Police apprehended four individuals involved in a series of ATM frauds across Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and the NCR region. The accused—Bittu Kumar (27), Vimlesh Kumar (33), Dharmender Kumar (27), and Rohit Kumar (27)—are natives of Gaya, Bihar, and were arrested in Gurdaspur district, Punjab.
The fraudsters targeted unguarded ATM booths, placing fake customer service numbers on pamphlets inside the machines. When a victim’s card became stuck, they would call the listed number and be guided to enter their PIN, allowing the perpetrators to steal the card and withdraw funds. This modus operandi led to the theft of ₹71,000 from one victim and ₹65,000 from another on the same day.
The police recovered two mobile phones, a knife, a screwdriver, a needle nose plier, four SIM cards from different service providers, and ten ATM cards from various banks during the arrest.
This operation highlights the importance of vigilance when using ATMs, especially in areas lacking security personnel. Users are advised to be cautious of unsolicited assistance and to report any suspicious activity to local authorities promptly.