New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS): The Delhi Police have arrested a 30-year-old man involved in an ATM card-exchange fraud in the Mayur Vihar area of East Delhi and recovered three ATM cards from his possession, including one identified by the complainant.
The accused has been identified as Asif, a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad. Police said he targeted unsuspecting ATM users by distracting them while they operated the machines, obtaining their ATM PINs and subsequently exchanging their cards with similar-looking ones.
According to police, the accused was apprehended by a team from the Mayur Vihar police station following a complaint regarding the fraudulent exchange of an ATM card at an ATM booth in Trilok Puri.
The incident took place on September 17 at around 11:15 a.m., when the complainant, Md. Galib Hussain, visited an Axis Bank ATM in Trilok Puri to withdraw money.
While Hussain was operating the ATM, two unidentified men allegedly engaged him in conversation and distracted him. During the process, they allegedly observed or obtained his ATM PIN and fraudulently exchanged his ATM card with another card of similar appearance.
After completing the transaction, the complainant checked the card and realised that it was not his. He subsequently searched nearby ATM booths and noticed the same suspects at another Axis Bank ATM in Trilok Puri.
When confronted, both suspects allegedly attempted to flee. Police personnel, acting promptly, managed to apprehend one of them, identified as Asif.
Following the complaint, a case was registered at PS Mayur Vihar under FIR No. 416/2026 under Sections 318(4), 317(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the investigation, police questioned the accused, who allegedly disclosed that he and an associate used to target ATM users, particularly those who were unfamiliar with operating ATM machines.
According to police, the accused revealed that the duo would engage victims in conversation and distract them while they were conducting transactions. They would then observe or obtain the victim’s ATM PIN and exchange the original card with a similar-looking card.
The accused further disclosed that the exchanged ATM cards were subsequently used for unauthorised transactions or withdrawals.
Police said the accused also disclosed the involvement of another associate, who is currently absconding. Efforts are underway to apprehend him.
The police team involved in the investigation worked under the supervision of Inspector Dinesh Moral, SHO, PS Mayur Vihar, under the overall supervision of the ACP, Mayur Vihar.
During the investigation, police are examining whether the accused was involved in other similar incidents. They are also working to identify other possible victims, trace financial transactions and withdrawn amounts, recover additional ATM cards and other relevant evidence, and establish links with similar cases.
Police said the accused has previously been involved in six criminal cases registered at different police stations.
These include FIR No. E-023140/2024 at PS Krishna Nagar under Sections 305(B) and 317(2) BNS; FIR No. 258/2025 at PS Mansarovar Park under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) BNS; FIR No. 463/2025 at PS Burari under Sections 318(4) and 3(5) BNS; FIR No. 12/2025 at Cyber PS North-East under Sections 318(4) and 61 BNS; FIR No. 39/2025 at PS Jagat Puri under Section 303(2) BNS; and FIR No. 94/2026 at PS Harsh Vihar under Sections 318(4) and 61 BNS.
Police said the arrest has helped work out two cases, including the present case registered at PS Mayur Vihar and E-FIR No. 80067031/2026 registered at PS PIA.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain the accused’s involvement in other similar incidents and apprehend his remaining associate.
