Gang behind ATM theft used master key, shutter trick

Bhopal: Shahpura police on Sunday busted a six-member gang from Bihar for allegedly tampering with ATMs of a nationalised bank across Bhopal and stealing cash using a “shutter tampering” technique.

A case was registered against the accused following a complaint by the bank’s authorised security agency.Police said two of the accused had been living in Bhopal for nearly two years, while the remaining four had arrived in the city around 8-10 days ago. Preliminary investigation suggests the gang targeted more than half a dozen ATMs across the city, including one at Savoy Complex in Shahpura.Master key used to access ATMs:Shahpura SHO Santosh Markam said the gang used a master key to open ATM cash dispensing slot and tampered with the cash dispenser shutter.“When customers withdrew money, the cash was dispensed but got stuck behind the tampered shutter instead of coming out through the cash tray. Believing the transaction had failed due to technical issues, many customers left. The accused, who kept watch on the ATMs from nearby, later opened the cash dispenser with the master key and stole the trapped cash,” he said.Police are questioning the accused to ascertain how many ATMs they targeted, and the total amount stolen.

Complaint by security agency:The FIR was lodged on the complaint of Vivek Chouria, area manager of a private security services company responsible for security and maintenance of the bank’s ATMs in Madhya Pradesh.In his complaint, Chouria stated that multiple incidents of ATM shutter tampering had been reported over the past 10-15 days at ATMs falling under the bank’s Regional Business Office (RBO)-1 and RBO-2 in Bhopal.He alleged that unidentified persons damaged ATM machines by tampering with their shutters and fraudulently withdrew cash, causing financial losses to both the bank and the security agency.Chouria, a resident of Saurabh Colony, said he had been authorised by the bank’s Regional Business Office to initiate legal action in such cases. He also submitted a list of affected ATMs and CCTV footage purportedly showing the incidents.Investigation underway:Based on the complaint and preliminary inquiry, Shahpura police registered a case under relevant sections related to theft, cheating and causing damage to property before arresting the six accused.Police officials said CCTV footage from the affected ATMs is being examined to determine the gang’s movements and identify other locations they may have targeted. Police are also verifying the total amount fraudulently withdrawn from the ATMs.GFX- Modus operandi of the ATM shutter tampering gang:The gang identified ATMs with vulnerable cash dispenser shutters.They used a master key to open the ATM cash dispenser slot or access the machine without causing visible damage.The accused tampered with the cash dispenser shutter, partially blocking the cash exit slot.When customers attempted to withdraw cash, the ATM debited the amount from their account and dispensed the cash internally, but the notes got stuck behind the tampered shutter instead of coming out through the cash tray.Believing the transaction had failed due to technical glitches, customers waited briefly and then left the ATM.The gang kept watch on the targeted ATMs and waited for customers to leave.After the customer departed, the accused reopened the ATM using the master key.They removed the cash trapped behind the tampered shutter and fled with the money.The gang repeated the method at multiple ATMs across the city, targeting several locations.