New Modus Operandi in ATM Thefts: Inter-State Gang Arrested by Warangal Police

Warangal:
Warangal police have busted a new kind of ATM theft racket in which cash was blocked from coming out of the machine using iron plates and later stolen. An inter-state gang from Rajasthan involved in these innovative ATM thefts was arrested in a joint operation by the CCS and Kazipet police.

Seven accused were arrested and police seized ₹5.10 lakh in cash, two cars, seven mobile phones, iron plates used in the crime, and duplicate keys. The arrested accused were identified as Arif Khan (23), Sarfaraz (24), M. Ash Mohammed (29), Shapoos Khan (33), Shah Rukh Khan (33), Aslam Khan (33), and M. Shahrukh (27). All of them belong to Malkida taluk of Alwar district in Rajasthan.

Warangal Central Zone DCP Kavitha, while addressing the media, said all the accused were from the same area and knew each other well. To fund their lifestyle and parties, they planned to make easy money and resorted to ATM thefts. Through an acquaintance, they studied vulnerabilities in old PERTO company ATM machines used by SBI and prepared duplicate keys to open them.

As part of their modus operandi, the gang targeted ATM centres equipped with PERTO machines. They illegally entered the ATM kiosk, opened the front panel using duplicate keys, and fixed an iron plate with adhesive at the cash-dispensing slot in such a way that it was not noticeable. When customers attempted to withdraw money, the cash would get stuck inside the machine due to the iron plate. Assuming a technical fault, the customers would leave the ATM. The gang members, who kept watch nearby, would then re-enter the kiosk, open the machine, and steal the trapped cash. Meanwhile, customers would receive SMS alerts confirming cash withdrawal.

Following multiple complaints from customers, banks replaced old ATM machines with new ones in several locations, reducing opportunities for theft in Rajasthan. As a result, the gang expanded its operations to other states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala, committing more than 40 ATM thefts.

In Warangal tri-city limits, the gang committed thefts at seven ATM centres since November, stealing a total of ₹12.10 lakh. Four thefts occurred under Subedari police station limits, and one each under Kazipet, Hanamkonda, and Mills Colony police station limits. After complaints from affected account holders, banks informed the third-party ATM security and maintenance agency, FSS Limited, which in turn lodged complaints with the police.

Under the supervision of Additional DCP (Crimes) Bala Swamy and with the leadership of ACPs Sadayya and Prashanth Reddy, special investigation teams were formed. Using advanced technology and surveillance, police tracked the accused and caught them red-handed at a PERTO ATM centre near Kazipet Chowrasta while they were attempting another theft.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to their crimes. Police also learned that similar gangs from Rajasthan were operating across various states using the same method. Warangal police alerted senior bank officials about this new modus operandi, as such crimes had not been previously registered elsewhere.

Warangal Police Commissioner appreciated the efforts of the officers and staff involved in the operation, including CCS Inspector Raghavender, Kazipet Inspector Sudhakar Reddy, SI Salman Pasha, SIs and constables, and announced rewards for their commendable work.