New Delhi: A customer who went to deposit his ₹16,000 salary at a bank in New Friends Colony allegedly lost the cash to a man offering to help him use an ATM, according to Delhi Police.
The police investigation led to the arrest of Dharmender, 30. In an October 4 press release, South-East district police said ₹31,000 in cash—including the complainant’s ₹16,000—and 12 debit cards from different banks were recovered from his possession.
Offer of help while customer waited in queue
Police said the complainant, Uday Yadav, reported the incident on October 3 after visiting Punjab National Bank at CC Market, New Friends Colony. An unknown man approached him while he was waiting in a queue and offered to help deposit the money quickly through an ATM.
According to the police account, the suspect used his own debit card instead of the customer’s card and took the cash on the pretext that the wrong card had been used before fleeing.
FIR No. 258/26, dated October 3, was registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at New Friends Colony police station, the release said.
Cash, debit cards and other items recovered
Police said the investigating team followed available leads to identify, trace and arrest the suspect. A mobile phone and a wristwatch were also recovered.
Dharmender was described as a resident of Aali Gaon, Sarita Vihar, with a permanent address in Motihari district, Bihar. Police said he had one previous involvement in a fraud case; the release did not state its outcome.
The team comprised Head Constables Pawan, Lokesh and Yogesh, under the leadership of the New Friends Colony SHO and the overall supervision of ACP New Friends Colony.
Possible similar incidents under investigation
Police said the suspect allegedly targeted people unfamiliar with cash-deposit machines by posing as a helpful person. Investigators are examining the recovered debit cards, possible involvement in similar incidents and whether anyone else was involved.
The police advisory urged customers not to accept assistance from strangers at banks or ATMs or hand over cash, cards or PINs. Customers needing help should approach authorised bank staff.
