KOZHIKODE: Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card skimming cases in the city recently.

Abdu Rahman Safwan aka Adruman, 18; Abbas Ali, 26, both hailing from Kasaragod, and M E Shajahan, 45, from Fort Kochi have been charged with Section 379 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66C (punishment for identity theft) of the Information Technology Act.

The case related to six incidents in which card skimmers were used in third-generation ATM counters to withdraw money.

The total amount withdrawn from the ATMs was Rs 1.41 lakh.

The ATMs included those of Punjab National Bank at Pantheerankavu, Vellimadukunnu and Pallikkandy and of Vijaya Bank on Link Road in the city.

Cases were registered at Kasaba, Chevayur, Nadakkavu, Town, Chemmangad and Thamarassery police stations.

The police said that a gang of six had been involved in electronic thefts of personal accounts using skimmers.

Card information and password of the customers are stolen using skimmers and camera.

Three other persons, Muhammed Bilal aka Billa, 28; Ramees aka Nowman, 33, and Junaid, all hailing from Kasaragod, are absconding, police said.

After the series of incidents the police have urged banks to step up surveillance and protect the ATM kiosks by installing anti-skimming devices.

Incidentally, most of the kiosks do not have security guards at night.

The banks have also been asked to replace the third-generation ATMs with new ones.

At least 20 ATMs in the city do not have security features and anti-skimming devices.