Two held for trapping ATM cash using rubber rings in Delhi

Two men were arrested for allegedly tampering with ATMs using rubber rings to trap cash dispensed during transactions and later retrieving the money after customers left, police said on Friday.

A country-made pistol, five live cartridges and a motorcycle were recovered from Aman (22) and Suraj Singh (28) after they were arrested on September 15.

According to police, the two had prior experience in ATM cash-management operations, working with companies where they allegedly learnt about the functioning of ATMs and their loopholes.

They allegedly obtained ATM keys through an associate, tampered with the cash-dispensing mechanism and placed rubber rings to obstruct the outlet. When a customer attempted a withdrawal, the transaction was processed but the cash remained trapped inside the machine, the police said.

The duo would allegedly return after the customer left, open the ATM using the keys and retrieve the trapped cash.

The two disclosed their involvement in incidents at ATMs in Sector 4-5, Gurugram, Kapashera and nearby areas of Delhi. They have also disclosed 19-20 other similar cash-withdrawal incidents, which are being verified, a senior police officer said.

Police said the arrests followed a tip-off that the duo would arrive near Mirdard Wali Gali, Tagore Road, behind the Civic Centre, on a motorcycle on September 15.

During their search, the country-made pistol and two cartridges were recovered from Suraj, while three cartridges were recovered from Aman.

A case under relevant sections of the Arms Act was registered on September 16. The investigation also resulted in an FIR being registered at Sector-5 police station in Gurugram.

Aman, a resident of Etah in Uttar Pradesh, had worked with a company in Gurugram for seven to eight months in ATM-related work and later joined another company as a cash-collection employee, according to police.

Also Read: Delhi govt plans to repair 600 km of roads by December

Suraj, a resident of Azamgarh, had worked in ATM-related operations from January 2023 for around two years. Police said the duo targeted ATMs during less crowded hours, particularly on weekends when security guards were not present.

A third associate, who is absconding, allegedly provided them with the firearm and instructed them to use it to escape if confronted, officials said.