In most cases, fraudsters approach their victims under the guise of assisting with ATM operations, only to steal debit cards and PINs, leaving victims helpless and often financially devastated.
In an era where digital banking is becoming second nature, this wave of low-tech fraud reminds us that old-school deception is still very effective—and increasingly dangerous.
How the Scam Unfolds
These incidents typically follow a pattern:
A person walks up to an ATM to withdraw cash.
A stranger nearby watches carefully, then offers unsolicited "help."
Under the guise of assistance, the fraudster notes or tricks the victim into revealing their PIN, then swaps the card with a similar-looking one.
Often, a “technical issue” or “system error” is staged to rush the victim.
Within minutes—or hours—large sums of money are withdrawn from the victim’s account using the stolen card and PIN.
This is not a digital scam—no phishing links, no OTPs. It's an in-person, psychological manipulation rooted in misplaced trust.
Recent Pune Cases That Raise Alarm
A man on Dhole Patil Road lost ₹40,000 after a trickster offered to help him withdraw money.
A 31-year-old in Wagholi was conned out of ₹29,000 while activating a new card.
A woman at Shivajinagar’s ATM at Veer Chapekar Chowk lost ₹80,000 after being duped mid-transaction.
Other cases have been reported in Kothrud, Khadki, Warje, and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
These aren’t isolated events—they reflect a growing urban vulnerability, especially among people unfamiliar with modern ATM operations or lacking tech confidence.
Why the Elderly Are Most at Risk
Many of the reported victims are senior citizens who:
May not be tech-savvy
Struggle with card-reader or keypad interfaces
Are more likely to accept help from strangers out of politeness or panic
For scammers, they’re easy targets—trusting, distracted, and often alone.
What You Should Know and Be Cautious Of
Here’s how you can avoid becoming the next victim:
Never accept help from strangers at ATMs—no matter how kind or official they seem.
Cover your keypad when entering your PIN.
Stay alert to anyone hovering around you or loitering near the machine.
Avoid using ATMs at night or in isolated areas, especially alone.
If your card is stuck, don’t accept help from anyone nearby. Instead, call your bank’s official helpline from your phone or go to a branch.
Ignore phone numbers pasted inside ATMs—many are fake helplines set up by scammers.
What Authorities Are Doing
Pune police have ramped up patrols around high-risk ATM zones and urged citizens, especially the elderly, to be extremely vigilant. Multiple suspects have been arrested, and awareness campaigns are ongoing in residential societies and public areas.
Still, prevention is better than cure—and in this case, it begins with knowing how to say no to help that wasn't asked for.
In a world full of digital threats, sometimes the danger is right behind you in line. Protecting your money isn't just about antivirus software and strong passwords—it’s about awareness, boundaries, and trusting your gut.
If a stranger offers help at an ATM, remember: real help never asks for your PIN.