Banihal: Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested three alleged members of an interstate ATM card swapping gang in connection with a cyber fraud case reported in Banihal. The accused were apprehended from Leh in Ladakh after investigators followed technical leads and human intelligence inputs.
ATM Card Swapped Near Bus Stand
The case was registered on June 17 after a woman lodged a complaint at Banihal Police Station, alleging that she was cheated while using an ATM near the Banihal Bus Stand. According to the complaint, unknown persons allegedly swapped her ATM card during the transaction and later misused it to withdraw money from her bank account.
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Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched an investigation.
Suspects Traced To Leh
During the probe, investigators analysed technical evidence, banking transactions and electronic leads. Human intelligence inputs helped trace the suspects to Leh, following which a special police team was sent to Ladakh.
After surveillance, police arrested three alleged gang members identified as Arjun, a resident of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh; Shivam Kumar, a resident of Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh; and Monti, a resident of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Interstate Links Under Probe
After completing legal formalities and obtaining transit remand from the competent court in Leh, the accused were brought to Banihal for further interrogation.
Investigators are now examining whether the accused were part of a larger organised interstate fraud syndicate and whether they were involved in similar ATM card swapping cases in Jammu and Kashmir or other states.
Police are also working to recover the money allegedly withdrawn from the victim’s account and identify any additional accomplices linked to the network.
Public Advisory Issued
Police have urged citizens not to share ATM cards, PINs or banking credentials with unknown persons and to remain alert while using ATM kiosks. Customers have been advised to shield their PIN, check whether the card returned to them is their own, and immediately report suspicious activity to the bank and police.
The investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the gang’s operations and link the arrested suspects to any other cases.
