₹48 lakh stolen from SBI ATM cash deposit machines

The metropolis police have launched a hunt to nab a gang that stole not less than ₹48 lakh from numerous SBI ATMs with cash deposit machines.

The gang stole cash from ATMs in Velachery, Taramani and Vadapalani — altogether 18 locations within the metropolis limits and the districts. The police mentioned the fraudsters focused solely cash deposit machines and used a single debit card.

Using the cardboard, they opted to withdraw the cash. When the cash was within the dispenser, they blocked the sensor sign for 20 seconds and took the cash. If the cash is just not withdrawn inside this era, the machine takes the cash again and the quantity debited from the account is reversed. However, on this case, the fraudsters held it open, then launched it, giving the machine the cue that it was taking again the cash whereas they’d truly eliminated the notes.

The financial institution employees seen a lack of cash from the dispenser although the corresponding debits had not been made, a police officer mentioned, explaining the modus operandi of the gang.

All these fraudulent withdrawals occurred between June 17 and 18 from solely SBI automated cash deposit-withdrawal machines. The employees of every financial institution complained to the police of their jurisdiction.

On Tuesday, City Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal held a gathering with R. Radhakrishna, chief basic supervisor of SBI, Chennai circle, and different officers. The financial institution officers briefed the police in regards to the doable modus operandi to withdraw the cash on this case.

19 instances reported

Addressing the media, Mr. Jiwal mentioned about 19 instances had been reported in Tamil Nadu in two days. A few related incidents had been reported elsewhere within the nation. “Now, it has been stopped following steps taken by the bank. It looks like the work of a gang from outside Tamil Nadu. We are working on certain leads,” he mentioned.

The Commissioner mentioned the offence was dedicated by exploiting a technical flaw within the machines, which was instantly rectified by the financial institution.

“As an immediate step, we have disabled all machines which have problems. These machines will not dispense cash as of now,” Mr. Radhakrishna mentioned.

The police have collected CCTV footage from the ATMs and intensified the investigation.