In a significant breakthrough, Odisha police have arrested two notorious criminals involved in an elaborate ATM card-swapping scam targeting senior citizens.
The gang had been operating across multiple districts, robbing unsuspecting individuals of lakhs of rupees through deceptive means.
The criminals meticulously planned their thefts, swapping ATM cards while assisting elderly individuals with withdrawals at various ATM kiosks. Once the cards were swapped, the gang swiftly withdrew large sums of money from victims’ accounts before they realised the fraudulent transaction.
Police investigations revealed several incidents across different regions where substantial amounts of cash were stolen.
After months of investigations, the Athagarh police, acting on a tip-off from vigilant shopkeepers, arrested two suspects—Manoj Kumar Sahu and Pradip Kumar Sahu—at an ATM in the town’s main marketplace.
The suspects were caught in possession of ₹3,10,000 in cash, 93 grams of gold ornaments, multiple ATM cards, and mobile phones used in the fraudulent transactions.
Further investigations unearthed multiple cases registered against these individuals in various police stations across the state. Authorities confirmed that the duo had orchestrated scams in different areas, including Dhenkanal, Nayagarh, and Kandarpur, where victims lost substantial amounts of money. The police disclosed that over ₹6,04,015 had been stolen from several victims since January, with transactions linked to illicit gold purchases.
The successful operation led by Athagarh PS IIC Kshitish Kumar Nayak resulted in crucial recoveries and further inquiries into other possible members of this ATM fraud syndicate.
According to reports from the Odisha Police, the criminals used sophisticated techniques to mislead victims, often befriending them before swapping cards at the ATMs.
In a press conference, Cuttack SP Prateek Singh highlighted the extent of the crime, urging citizens to be extra cautious while using ATMs. He further assured that police would intensify their crackdown on similar fraudulent operations across the state to prevent further victimisation of innocent individuals.
This significant arrest is expected to reduce the rampant ATM-related frauds in Odisha, setting an example for strict law enforcement against financial crimes.
