Gang exploiting glitch in ATMs busted, 2 held

RAJKOT: A gang exploiting software glitch in automated teller machines (ATMs), particularly of State Bank of India, across the country was busted on Tuesday by the Rajkot police with the arrest of two of its members. Police has also recovered 60 ATM cards from the two accused - Imran Hanif (23) and Azaruddin Iliyas (23), who are residents of Mewat in Haryana.

According to police, the gang has three other members who are yet to be arrested. They were identified as Abdul Sattar, Munfed Khan and Nalab Hussain all natives of Mewat in Haryana.

Police said that the accused used to operate with a unique modus operandi.

They used to collect ATM-cum-debit cards from people whose accounts did not have cash in it. The accused would then deposit some money in the account of the original account holder and withdraw cash from an ATM.

As soon as the cash was dispensed with, the accused would switch off the ATM for few seconds and switch it on again. This would create a transaction error. The accused, after collecting the cash, would call up the bank's helpline number and register their complaint that though the amount was deducted from their account the cash was not dispensed from the ATM. The bank, after verification would credit the amount into the account. This amount would be split between the accused and the original account holder.

The accused would carry out such operations across India. They have confessed to having collected Rs 5.21 lakh from Rajkot itself. The other states, where the gang was active, include Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar and Rajasthan.

Police said that they also recovered a diary containing complaint numbers that the accused had registered with the bank in various cities.