An inter-state ATM card cloning gang has cheated at least 50 people after they tempered the ATM machines of Axis Bank with skimming devices and cameras.
The police suspect the group copied data, cloned cards and withdrew money from ATMs in Gujarat and Faridabad (Haryana).
The incidence affected at least 50 residents and total amount looted from them is Rs 9.11 lakh. The ATMs that were compromised was being operated without any security guard. Axis Bank is yet to comment on that.
“A small number of our customers’ accounts have been impacted through transactions carried out at a compromised ATM. We have reversed the impact in all such customers’ accounts with immediate effect to ensure they are not inconvenienced. We are undertaking a full investigation into the incident and are working closely with law enforcement officials in this regard. We wish to assure our customers that Axis Bank stands committed to protecting their interests and that we have the necessary systems to ensure the same,” said the official spokesperson for Axis Bank.
Most of the victims are employees of Government Printing Press who have a bank account in Axis Bank.
Deputy commissioner of police (zone 1) Manojkumar Sharma said, “We have lodged an FIR and initiated an investigation to get more details on the racket. Most of the victims are customers of Axis Bank and we have written to the bank for details.”
Narendra Bidra, an employee of the Government Printing Press, was the first one to register an FIR after he lost Rs. 14,500 from his Axis account in an authorized transaction.
One of the victims, who didn't want to be named, said, “I lost Rs40,000 from my account. We started enquiring and got to know that 41 employees of Government Printing Press have lost money to the fraud. We compiled the details and lodged a complaint.”
“Since most of the victims are employees of the government printing press and they use the Axis Bank ATM at the Charni Road station (West), this ATM must have been compromised,” he said.