Maharashtra: Duo held for conning people at ATM kiosks', 34 cards seized

The arrested duo in police custody with the recovery made in the case. Pic/ MBVV Police

The Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar (MBVV) crime branch arrested two men for allegedly conning people at the ATM kiosks by offering help in withdrawing cash from the machines.

The police said, the duo, both residents of Basti in Uttar Pradesh had travelled to Maharashtra some months ago. They had been residing in Nalasopara. Following their arrest on June 16, the police have recovered as many as 34 ATM cards and a bike that had been used in the crime.

According to the police, the duo identified as Deepak alias Vikrant Shukla, 20 and Shikhar Mishra, 21 were arrested in two cases- one registered with Pelhar Police and the other with Tulinj Police. While investigating the matter, the MBVV crime branch investigators learnt that in both the cases the modus operandi of the accused had been similar.

Also Read: Mumbai: Luxury watches worth over Rs 1.06 crore seized, 5 held

A team lead by police inspector Pramod Badak noticed that the accused used to keep multiple ATM cards of different banks with them and zero in on a crowded ATM kiosk. The duo then used to identify their target and get inside the ATM along with the victim, pretending to withdraw money.

"While one of them (accused) used to keep an eye on the ATM pin of the victim and memorise it, the other used to offer the victim help. While keeping the victim reserved in talking, one of the two used to trick the victim by replacing his ATM card with a fake one and then using it to get the victim's money," said a police officer.

While scanning their past records, it has been learnt by the police that Deepak has around 12 criminal cases registered against him in various police stations of Uttar Pradesh. Further investigations are being done, the police said.