Pune, 5th July 2025: In yet another case of ATM fraud in Pune, a senior citizen was duped of ₹40,000 by a conman pretending to help at an ATM kiosk near Dhole-Patil (Seven Loves) Chowk on Shankar Sheth Road. The 60-year-old victim had visited the ATM on Wednesday afternoon to withdraw cash when the accused followed him inside, offering unsolicited help.
The fraudster obtained the victim’s debit card and PIN under the guise of assistance, and then cleverly swapped it with a similar card, claiming there was a technical error.
Later, the victim discovered that ₹40,000 had been withdrawn from his account. He promptly reported the incident at Khadak Police Station, where a case has been registered. Authorities have taken CCTV footage from the ATM booth for further investigation.
In a separate but similar incident, a 31-year-old man from Wagholi was cheated of ₹29,000 at an ATM near Tulshibaug on Bajirao Road on Thursday. The fraudster, posing as a bank representative, misled the victim by claiming he would help activate a new ATM card.
Acting on his instructions, the victim unknowingly revealed sensitive information, which was then used to siphon off the money. A complaint has been lodged at the Vishrambaug Police Station.
These incidents highlight a worrying trend of increasing ATM-related frauds targeting unsuspecting users, particularly senior citizens. In previous months, areas like Warje, Rasta Peth, and Khadki had also seen similar cases. While some gangs, reportedly from Uttar Pradesh, have been caught earlier, the recurrence of such crimes signals the need for continued vigilance.
Pune Police have once again appealed to citizens to avoid seeking or accepting help from strangers at ATM kiosks. Authorities stress the importance of securing card details and being cautious of anyone attempting to offer unsolicited assistance.