Patna | Updated: Authorities in Patna have uncovered a sophisticated gang involved in ATM tampering and online fraud, defrauding victims of crores of rupees. The alleged mastermind, Saurabh Dwivedi, is set to be taken on police remand for detailed questioning to unravel the network, trace money flows, and investigate external connections. Dwivedi hails from Nautan in Bettiah, West Champaran. Preliminary investigations indicate that the gang has already siphoned off over ₹55 crore, while the actual figure could be even higher.
So far, 12 individuals have been arrested, including some suspected bank agents and people with technical backgrounds. Multiple suspicious accounts have been frozen. Authorities believe the remand questioning may reveal crypto trails, mule accounts, and local support structures.
How the Scam Operated — ATM “Help” as a Trap
Investigators say the gang used two primary methods.
First method — ATM card slots were tampered with using glue or sticky substances to trap cards. Accomplices offered “help” to observe the PIN, pasted fake helpline numbers on machines, and distracted victims over the phone while quickly withdrawing funds.
Second method — Victims were lured through online gaming and reward apps with promises of quick earnings. As users invested, accounts were gradually emptied, and money was shuffled across multiple accounts before being laundered.
During raids, authorities recovered 54 ATM cards, 28 cheque books, 11 passbooks, 23 mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, ₹5,900 in cash, two vehicles, and a passport — evidence that the network had been operating in a well-organized manner for a long time.
CPT Analysis — “Gaps in Banking Governance”
According to the Center for Police Technology (CPT), the case highlights serious shortcomings in ATM security and banking procedures.
“If standards for helplines and ATM stickers were enforced, and every complaint triggered an ‘instant card block + camera review’ protocol, such incidents could be reduced by 40–50%. This is not just a policing issue — it is also a matter of banking governance.”
CPT also recommends that banks urgently implement risk-based e-KYC, transaction analytics, and mule-account profiling.
Prof. Triveni Singh’s Warning — “It Has Become an Organized Crime Industry”
Former IPS officer and renowned cyber-crime expert Prof. Triveni Singh emphasizes that treating such cases as a “local gang issue” is misleading.
“ATM help scams, fake helplines, and gaming apps are all part of the same ecosystem. Money is moved across the country — sometimes internationally — within minutes. If insiders are involved, accountability must be determined. This is no longer isolated fraud; it is an organized crime industry.”
He advises states to create “Financial Trail Task Forces” for cyber fraud, working jointly with banks and fintech companies to monitor suspicious activities.
Safety Measures for the Public
- Do not accept help from strangers at ATMs
- Avoid calling unfamiliar numbers pasted on machines
- Immediately contact your bank or official helpline if a card gets stuck
- Report suspicious transactions to cybercrime.gov.in
Authorities have indicated that questioning Dwivedi and other arrested members could reveal additional links, and further arrests are possible. The case underscores that cybercrime now operates at the intersection of technology, organized networks, and insider risk, making strict monitoring, accountability, and public awareness crucial.
