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Cuttack police have arrested two men accused of swapping ATM cards and stealing money from unsuspecting bank customers in Odisha.
The accused, identified as Sambhab Kumar Acharya (37) of Jajpur and Manoj Paik (43) of Khurda, currently residing in Bhubaneswar’s Mancheswar area, were arrested on Sunday by Mangalabag police. Investigators suspect the duo operated an organised ATM card swapping racket targeting customers unfamiliar with banking machines.
How Did the ATM Card Swapping Fraud Work?
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, the investigation began after Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty lodged a complaint on November 3 concerning an incident at an SBI ATM kiosk in Nuapatna, Cuttack.
Mohanty alleged that an unidentified person approached him while he was struggling to withdraw cash and offered assistance. The suspect allegedly obtained his ATM card and PIN, attempted a withdrawal and claimed the card was malfunctioning. He then exchanged the original card for a similar-looking one without Mohanty’s knowledge.
The complainant discovered the fraud after approximately ₹40,000 was withdrawn from his bank account through four transactions. Police subsequently investigated the complaint and arrested the two suspects.
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What Did Police Recover From the Accused?
Preliminary investigations indicated that the accused allegedly targeted senior citizens and customers unfamiliar with ATM operations. Police said they carried multiple ATM cards belonging to different banks and travelled between ATM kiosks on a scooty to identify potential victims.
Following the arrests, investigators recovered ₹40,000 in cash, 18 ATM cards, two mobile phones, a scooty and other incriminating materials from their possession. Police believe the seized cards formed part of the suspected card exchange operation.
How Many Cases Are Linked to the Suspects?
DCP Dnyandeo described both accused as habitual offenders suspected of belonging to an organised ATM card swapping gang. According to police, 53 similar fraud cases were registered against them at different police stations across Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Jajpur and Puri between 2017 and 2026.
Investigators also alleged that the accused used money obtained through fraudulent withdrawals to purchase expensive gifts for their wives and other family members.
Police are continuing their investigation into the suspected racket and the involvement of the arrested individuals in other ATM-related fraud cases. The arrests followed the complaint concerning the ₹40,000 withdrawal, which helped investigators identify the alleged card swapping operation.
