New Delhi: Authorities have dismantled a sophisticated ATM card swapping operation in Delhi, leading to the arrest of two individuals accused of defrauding vulnerable ATM users, particularly the elderly. The suspects allegedly offered unsolicited assistance to their victims before stealthily swapping their debit cards with identical-looking stolen ones.
The arrested men, identified as Asif (25) and Talib, also known as Kallu (25), were apprehended on May 23 in the Shahdara area of Delhi. Following the card swaps, the duo would use the victims’ legitimate cards to withdraw cash or make unauthorized purchases.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vikram Singh explained, “The accused would loiter near ATM kiosks, targeting individuals who appeared confused or elderly. One of them would feign assistance while closely observing the victim entering their PIN.” At a strategic moment, they would discreetly exchange the victim’s card for a similar-looking stolen card and depart before the victim realized the deception.
BREAKING! 🚨
— Crime Branch Delhi Police (@CrimeBranchDP) May 26, 2025
ATM CARD SWAPPING GANG BUSTED! 🕵️♂️💥
ER-II, Crime Branch, Delhi nabs 2 serial cheats who duped ATM users by pretending to help!
💳 41 STOLEN DEBIT CARDS RECOVERED
🛵 1 STOLEN SCOOTY SEIZED
Multi-bank frauds uncovered! 🏦⚠️
Hats off to the team:
Inspr. Sunil Kundu,… pic.twitter.com/KXnfGC2oOr
The suspects utilized a stolen scooter to facilitate their swift movements between ATM locations, which helped them evade capture, the DCP noted.
The breakthrough in the case came when police received a tip-off indicating that the suspects, who had prior involvement in vehicle theft and financial fraud, were traveling to the Shahdara-Maujpur area on a stolen scooter. Acting on this information, a police team set up a trap on Kardampuri Nala Road, successfully apprehending both individuals. The scooter had been reported stolen in August 2024 from Krishna Nagar. Authorities recovered a total of 41 stolen ATM cards—26 from Asif and 15 from Talib.
“The CCTV footage from an ATM in Kalyanpuri captured the suspects exchanging a card and observing a PIN entry. Additionally, another video from a shoe store in Burari revealed Asif using one of the stolen cards to purchase sportswear,” the official reported.
Both individuals have extensive criminal records in Uttar Pradesh. Asif has been implicated in eight prior cases, including violations of the Arms Act and the Gangster Act. Meanwhile, Talib is linked to seven criminal cases, encompassing theft, robbery, and assault. The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) stated that further investigations are ongoing to identify additional victims.
