CHENNAI: A duo from Uttar Pradesh, who stole money from ATMs in and around the city by blocking the mouth of the cash dispenser with cardboard and tape, was arrested by the city police.
On Tuesday, the technical staff of an ATM service company was alerted about possible tampering of an SBI ATM in Vyasarpadi, after which the staff, Moses, checked the kiosk to find that the cash dispenser was blocked.
Based on his alert, a team from Vyasarpadi station conducted investigations. Based on CCTV footage, they zeroed in on the suspects and secured them. The arrested persons were identified as Veer Bahadur (23) and Amar Singh (30) from Uttar Pradesh.
Explaining their modus operandi, officials said the duo first used a specially made key to open the door below the mouth of the cash dispenser and then blocked the mouth using cardboard and plastic tape.
When a customer withdraws cash, the machine will dispense the notes, but they will be blocked. After the customer leaves the ATM thinking the machine was faulty, the accused would take the cash and flee.
"They usually go around the city on weekends. The accused had targeted ATMs at Vyasarpadi, Madhavaram, and Moolakadai areas," said officials, who recovered Rs 16,300 from the accused. They were produced before a magistrate and remanded in judicial custody.