Background and Timeline: The Nagpur Crime Branch anti-gold chain theft squad, in collaboration with the Cyber Cell, dismantled a professionalized ATM card fraud gang on Thursday, January 29, 2026. The breakthrough followed an investigation into a case registered at the Beltarodi police station involving a construction contractor. The incident took place on December 19 last year at the Chinchbhavan ATM on Wardha Road, leading to a month-long pursuit of the inter-state suspects.
Modus Operandi: The syndicate operated by physically tampering with ATM machines so that cards would get stuck in the reader, leading victims to believe a technical error had occurred. An accomplice standing nearby would then offer “assistance,” tricking the victim into revealing their PIN during a fake troubleshooting attempt. Once the victim left to seek help, the gang would retrieve the card and immediately withdraw large sums of cash from nearby machines.
Victims and Financial Impact: The 38-year-old construction contractor lost ₹1.24 lakh from his bank account within minutes of his card being compromised at the Chinchbhavan ATM. Authorities believe the gang has targeted numerous other individuals in and around the Nagpur region using similar “stuck card” tactics. The financial impact is often immediate, as the criminals prioritize cash withdrawals to avoid digital freezes or automated transaction monitoring.
Investigation and Agencies Involved: A joint team from the Nagpur Crime Branch and the local Cyber Cell conducted technical analysis of CCTV footage from the targeted ATM sites. Investigators identified a pattern of vehicle movements that led them to the suspects’ hideouts in Wadala, Mumbai. During the operation, police recovered cash, mobile phones, and a vehicle used to transport the gang members between different ATM locations.
Arrests and Suspects: One key suspect was arrested: 22-year-old Sajjad Khan, a native of Pratapgarh, UP, currently residing in Wadala, Mumbai. Sajjad confessed to committing the crime alongside four accomplices identified as Zishan Khan, Adil Khan, Gubaran Khan, and Muktdir Khan—all from Mumbai. The arrested suspect and the seized evidence have been handed over to the Beltarodi police for legal proceedings.
Broader Implications and Trends: This case highlights a “low-tech, high-impact” physical cybercrime trend where attackers manipulate hardware to facilitate financial theft. It underscores the critical importance of never sharing an ATM PIN with strangers, even those offering help during a perceived machine malfunction. Authorities have advised bank customers to always check for any external devices on an ATM card slot before inserting their card.