Hi-tech ATM robbery in capital, many duped

Thiruvananthapuram: In a suspected case of hi-tech ATM robbery, several thousands of Rupees have been withdrawn by unknown persons from the accounts of a number of customers without their knowledge here.

People who used the ATM of a public sector bank at Althara junction at Vellayambalam at the city centre, were shocked to find varying amounts withdrawn from their accounts without their knowledge.

It is suspected that the robbery was made after installing a particular electronic device at the ATM counter, enabling the fraudsters to collect the secret pin code and card details through it.

Many of the customers who were duped came to know about the fraud after they received a text message today, saying that money was withdrawn from their accounts.

City Police Commissioner G Sparjan Kumar said 16 persons had so far approached the bank with complaints that money was withdrawn from their accounts and added that investigation was going on.

"As per our knowledge, the manager of the public sector bank so far received 16 such complaints. They will formally hand it over to police soon. Our primary assumption is those who used the ATM at Althara had lost money," Kumar told PTI.

Police has collected a device from the ATM counter, but it was too early to state if the money was withdrawn using it, he said.

"We have sought the help of technical expert. Only after a detailed examination can we arrive at such conclusions," he said.