Instances of online cyber fraud are on the rise. While people often consider ATMs safer for cash withdrawals, cybercriminals are now actively targeting ATMs in Ranchi, particularly those without security guards. Individuals using ATMs are advised to exercise caution, as a small oversight could lead to the emptying of their accounts.
The fraudsters are operating in various police station areas of the capital, targeting people at ATMs. Victims insert their debit cards to withdraw money; sometimes, the transaction fails, or the card gets stuck. In either case, the card can be compromised, leading to unauthorized withdrawals.
According to reports, the gang has been targeting people in various police station areas of Ranchi for a long time. Between February 3rd and June 22nd, cybercriminals targeted people in seven different locations, stealing lakhs of rupees. The gang’s continued operation presents a significant challenge for the Ranchi police. The modus operandi involves creating a situation where a person’s card is trapped inside the ATM. Then, a supposed ‘engineer’ provides a fake phone number, directing the victim to another ATM or a nearby bank, during which time the fraud occurs.