ATM fraud gang busted in Khordha, 51 ATM Cards and Rs 1.20 lakh seized
By Prasanna Paikaray & Sudam Patra
Khordha, May 8: In a swift and decisive operation, Khordha police apprehended a gang of ATM fraudsters on Sunday night, putting an end to a string of ATM-related crimes across Khordha, Puri, and Cuttack districts.
According to police sources, the incident came to light when one Akshaya Kumar Srichandan, a resident of Badapokharia under Nirakarpur police limits, lodged a complaint at Jankia Police Station. He alleged that while withdrawing cash from an SIB ATM near Chhanagiri Road at around 9:20 PM on May 5, three unidentified men attempted to cheat him by swapping his ATM card. When he confronted them, the accused assaulted him and fled the spot.
Alerted by local intelligence inputs and in view of recent similar incidents in the district, the Jankia Police team acted swiftly and apprehended the accused persons within hours. During interrogation, the arrested individuals confessed to their involvement in several ATM card swapping and theft cases across Khordha, Cuttack, and Puri districts.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
A 42-year-old man from Bariupur, Deopada, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
A 24-year-old man from Sunarpur, Hasanpur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
A 32-year-old man from Paili, Kholaghat, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal
Police seized 51 assorted ATM cards, two mobile phones, and ₹1.20 lakh in cash from their possession. Preliminary investigation revealed that several cases were already pending against the accused at various police stations including Jankia, Seabeach, Chauliaganj, Nachuni, and Banapur.
The operation was carried out under the direct supervision of Khordha Superintendent of Police Sagarika Nath, who lauded the prompt response of the police personnel in nabbing the culprits and preventing further financial crimes in the region.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the gang’s activities and possible links to similar offences in neighbouring districts.
