Six Arrested for Swapping ATM Cards of Elderly in Hyderabad; 130 Cards Seized

In a significant breakthrough, the Ameenpur police have arrested six members of an interstate gang accused of targeting elderly and first-time ATM users by swapping their debit cards and emptying their bank accounts. The arrests follow a complaint filed on July 29 by a resident who fell victim to the scheme at an SBI ATM in Kistareddypet.

According to the police, the complainant attempted to withdraw cash on July 27 when two strangers offered assistance. They reportedly took his ATM card, asked for his PIN, and replaced it with a similar-looking card without his knowledge. The next day, he discovered that ₹65,400 had been debited from his account. Acting on his complaint, the police launched an investigation and apprehended the accused from various locations.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Shahjad alias Sazza (19), Ajrudeen (25), Mohammad Vasim (25), Sakib (28), Mohammad Asfak Khan (25), and Mohammad Jafar (20). Two other suspects, Sohil and Mubarak, are currently absconding. The accused are natives of Rajasthan and Haryana, with some residing in Jeedimetla, a suburb of Hyderabad.

Police seized 130 ATM cards, two point-of-sale (POS) swipe machines, three autorickshaws, five mobile phones, and ₹27,230 in cash from the accused. The recovery indicates the scale of the operation, with a large number of cards allegedly collected from victims.

Detailing the modus operandi, the police said the gang would wait at isolated ATM kiosks and observe potential targets. Senior citizens and those unfamiliar with ATM operations were particularly vulnerable. The accused would pose as helpful bystanders, offering to assist with cash withdrawals. While the victim was distracted, they would memorise the PIN and swap the card with a similar-looking one. The stolen cards were then used to withdraw cash from other ATMs and make purchases through POS machines, often before the victim realised the swap.

The investigation revealed that the gang was involved in similar offences across Hyderabad, Cyberabad, neighbouring districts, and even Haryana. During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to spending a portion of the stolen money on personal expenses. The police are also probing the role of eight other associates who reportedly travelled to Hyderabad earlier, committed similar crimes, and left the city.

This arrest highlights a growing concern about ATM fraud targeting vulnerable groups. Police have urged citizens, especially senior citizens, to exercise caution while using ATMs. They advise that bank employees or security personnel at the ATM kiosk are the only individuals authorised to provide assistance. Strangers offering help should be politely refused. Additionally, users are advised to shield the keypad when entering their PIN and ensure the card is not swapped during any transaction. If a card is retained by an ATM or if there are signs of tampering, customers should immediately contact their bank and local police.

The accused have been produced before a local court and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to trace the absconding suspects and uncover any other victims. The police have also asked anyone who may have fallen prey to such a scam in recent months to come forward and file a complaint.