Kanpur — Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested three men accused of running a sophisticated ATM scam in which they allegedly stole customers’ debit cards by secretly observing their PIN numbers.
The suspects, identified as residents of Ghaziabad and Hardoi, were detained on Tuesday in Kidwai Nagar. Authorities say the group specifically targeted elderly people, women, and children using ATMs, distracting them at the machine before swapping their debit cards.
When the police moved in, officers seized 43 debit cards, ₹22,000 in cash, and two motorcycles from the accused.
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A Pattern of Deception
Investigators revealed that the men would stand near ATM booths, closely watching customers enter their PINs. Moments later, they would approach under the guise of offering assistance and swap the customer’s card with a fake one.
By the time victims discovered that their cards had been switched, large sums had already been withdrawn. “These men were highly organized and operated in groups, making it difficult for victims to immediately notice the fraud,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Choudhary.
Police Investigation
Authorities began tracking the group after multiple complaints were filed in Kanpur and surrounding districts. Following the arrests, police said they were investigating whether the men were part of a larger inter-district network of ATM fraudsters.
The accused have been identified as Insaan Khan and Arun of Ghaziabad, and Sarvesh of Hardoi. According to police, all three had prior involvement in petty thefts but recently shifted to targeting ATM users as a lucrative racket.
A Growing Concern
ATM-related frauds have been on the rise across northern India, with police linking dozens of cases to small, mobile gangs specializing in PIN theft and card-swapping. Experts warn that such crimes exploit gaps in ATM security systems and the lack of digital literacy among vulnerable users.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious while withdrawing cash and to cover their hands while entering PINs. Meanwhile, police say the investigation is ongoing to determine if the accused were part of a wider criminal network.