ATM fraud in Kolkata: Customers lose lakhs after calling fake helpline

A fresh case of ATM fraud has surfaced in metropolitan Kolkata, leaving two unsuspecting customers robbed of lakhs of rupees. The incident occurred at an ATM of a government bank near Kishore Bharti Stadium in South Kolkata’s Survey Park police station area. The victims, who attempted to withdraw money on Friday night, found their accounts drained after unknowingly following fraudulent instructions over the phone.

According to a statement by Kolkata Police, both customers faced technical issues while withdrawing money from the ATM. Despite entering their credentials, no cash was dispensed. Confused, they noticed a toll-free number displayed inside the ATM and decided to call for assistance. However, the person on the other end was a fraudster, who tricked them into following specific instructions on their mobile phones.

Unaware of the scam, the victims followed the steps as told. Soon after, they started receiving bank withdrawal messages on their mobiles. Shockingly, by the time they realized what was happening, large sums had been deducted from their accounts. One victim lost ₹25,000, while the other saw multiple transactions amounting to ₹1 lakh disappear from his balance.

As soon as they discovered the fraud, the victims rushed to file a complaint with the police. The Survey Park police station immediately launched an investigation, and cybersecurity teams have been deployed to track down the fraudsters. Authorities suspect that a gang specializing in ATM scams might be behind this latest case.

Police have urged citizens to remain cautious while using ATMs and avoid calling any phone numbers displayed inside the booths, as they may be fraudulent. Instead, officials advise directly contacting the bank’s official helpline, which can be found on their official website or banking apps.