KARACHI: A meticulously structured consortium of IT specialists, believed to be involved in breaching Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and deceiving unsuspecting individuals, has been detained in Karachi. The initiative, orchestrated by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), also led to the capture of a female accomplice.
The group’s strategy entailed lingering near banks and manipulating ATMs. They frequently impersonated helpful bystanders, offering aid to those whose cards got trapped in the devices. Throughout these engagements, they adeptly gathered vital information, which included the victims’ passwords.
One significant episode in Nazimabad showcased the gang’s techniques, where they defrauded an elderly individual of Rs450,000. Surveillance video recorded the participation of a woman along with two additional suspects in this offense.
Police documentation reveals that this organization has carried out analogous scams in other cities such as Lahore and Islamabad. Measures are being taken to thoroughly dismantle their operations. Authorities are advising the public to stay alert when using ATMs and to refrain from seeking assistance from strangers.
Experts stress the dangers linked to selecting easily memorable passwords, as this could lead to substantial financial setbacks. Users are cautioned against choosing personal details like names or birthdays as their PINs.
A recent case in India emphasizes this caution, where a suspect was captured for embezzling substantial amounts using PINs derived from victims’ birth dates.
Officials continue to highlight the importance of protecting personal information to minimize the chances of such offenses.
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