Thiruvananthapuram: While police is yet to reveal details of equipment found at an ATM counter in Thiruvananthapuram, experts say it could clearly be a case of skimming, using a wireless camera and skimmer connected to the card slot of the machine. The concept was first introduced to Malayalees by a popular 2009 movie Robin Hood.
However, in this case, touts would have first installed a camera for a sneak peak of the ATM card number typed. Then they fixed an additional skimmer to read card details on the ATM. They are collected wirelessly from outside the ATM counter. In the case of low-end devices, they can be obtained later from the storage device attached to the equipment.
All details can be used at once to withdraw money from some other ATM counter, elsewhere. Cameras are usually hidden in the fake ceiling over the ATM or pamphlet holders close to the machine. ATMs of State Bank group are unmanned giving an opportunity to touts to fix devices.
IG Manoj Abraham maintained that the instrument recovered had no potential to spy data. However lower ranking officials said they were yet to verify the device that has chipset and memory card powered by mobile phone battery. All victims had used Althara branch of SBI ATM and police has asked banks to stop transaction of all account holders who used its services. Further, account holders are being asked to change the PIN.
S. Adikesavan, chief general manager of SBT, said banks have provisions to refund the money of all victims who lost money from ATMs due to no fault of them. Siphoning on salary day Mr Sreejith S., who works at an e-commerce company, regularly delivers goods at police headquarters (PHQ) in Vazhuthacaud and on Monday he ran to officers he knew, to inform how his friend lost money on Saturday, his a salary day.
“August 7 was the first Sunday of the month and by this time all people would have got their salary credited. My friend holds an account in a private bank at Sasthamangalam, and his money lost just minutes after he got the salary. He might have used this ATM, and we will now go to the police n to register a complaint,” he said.
