Sources reveal that the looteras applied adhesive black tapes to the bottoms of ATMs, causing cash to become trapped inside the machines. Believing it to be a technical issue, most users left the kiosk without retrieving their money.
Miscreants
in Odisha are employing a novel strategy to defraud ATM users, causing concern
among local authorities and citizens. The trick involves sticking adhesive
black tapes on the lower parts of several ATMs, deceiving unsuspecting
individuals attempting to withdraw cash. This scheme has already victimized
several people across key cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri.
According to
sources, this fraudulent operation is orchestrated by a gang from outside the
state, likely arriving in Odisha to exploit the upcoming festive season. The
gang primarily targets ATMs in high-traffic areas, where the likelihood of
duping multiple individuals increases. The affected ATMs, located in
Bhubaneswar and its neighboring cities, have been the focus of multiple police
complaints, and two formal complaints have already been filed in different
police stations within Bhubaneswar.
Key evidence
supporting these incidents comes from CCTV footage captured at the affected ATM
kiosks. The footage has revealed the perpetrators' modus operandi, leading the
police to launch a thorough investigation to apprehend the suspects.
The gang’s
method is as simple as it is devious. By placing adhesive black tapes on the
ATM machines' money-dispensing slots, the cash becomes stuck. When users
attempt to withdraw their money, they assume that a technical malfunction has
occurred since no money appears to be dispensed. Frustrated, the victims leave
the kiosk empty-handed. Once they depart, the looteras return, carefully remove
the stuck cash, and pocket it.
The gang
further exploits their victims by using dummy ATM cards. Once the initial scam
is successful, they reportedly drain the victims’ bank accounts, leaving them
financially devastated. It is believed that this gang has used this tactic
multiple times across various ATMs throughout Odisha, especially targeting
areas with a heavy footfall, making it difficult for users to immediately notice
the fraudulent activity.
The scam
came to light only after CCTV footage surfaced from several ATM kiosks,
exposing how the looteras operated and alerting the authorities. The police
have now heightened their vigilance, aiming to prevent further incidents of
fraud in the state. Efforts are being made to track down the suspects and bring
them to justice, while local ATM users are advised to remain cautious, report
any suspicious activity, and verify their transactions before leaving the
kiosks.
This new
strategy is especially concerning as it takes advantage of people's trust in
the ATM system. Most victims believe that technical errors or temporary
glitches are to blame when they are unable to retrieve their money, unaware
that they have been deliberately targeted by criminals.
As
investigations continue, the police have appealed to citizens to stay vigilant
during their visits to ATMs, especially as the festive season approaches.
Individuals are advised to check their account statements regularly and report
any discrepancies to the authorities immediately. The widespread use of this
new fraud tactic suggests that the looteras are becoming increasingly bold,
exploiting weaknesses in ATM systems and the public’s general assumption of
technological reliability.
The festival
season often brings an increase in such criminal activities, as crowds and busy
schedules allow for easier exploitation. Police forces across Odisha have now
been alerted to this issue and are working in coordination to curb the
fraudulent operations and bring the culprits to justice.
Odisha's
citizens are now encouraged to be cautious during ATM transactions, ensure that
their cash is fully dispensed, and seek assistance if there are any suspicions
regarding their withdrawals. With police investigations underway, it is hoped
that these criminal activities will soon be curtailed, restoring a sense of
security to the state’s ATM users.