Bhubaneswar: Miscreants in Odisha have adopted a new technique to loot money from ATMs by sticking adhesive black tapes at the bottom of machines, deceiving many unsuspecting individuals attempting to withdraw cash.
According to sources, a gang from a neighbouring state has arrived in Odisha ahead of the festive season and is primarily targeting ATMs in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri.
So far, two complaints have been lodged at separate police stations in Bhubaneswar regarding these incidents. CCTV footage from the affected ATMs has surfaced, aiding the investigation.
The gang’s method involves placing adhesive black tape on the lower part of the ATM, causing the cash to get stuck inside the machine.
Most people, thinking it was a technical error, left the kiosk without collecting their money. The miscreants would later remove the stuck cash and, using dummy ATM cards, drain the victims’ accounts, the sources added.
This scam has been carried out at various ATM kiosks across Odisha, with multiple people falling prey to the same tactic. Police have now heightened vigilance in response to the emerging threat, using the CCTV footage to aid in tracking the culprits, sources added.