Get CCTV cameras up and running in ATMs, Gurgaon cyber cell tells banks

The Gurgaon police cyber cell has asked banks to install CCTV cameras at ATM booths across the district

The cyber cell of the Gurgaon police has asked all banks in the area to install CCTV cameras at ATM booths across the district to help check the rising number of ATM-related crimes, particularly card switching, cloning of cards, and snatching cash near ATM booths.

In 2016, 129 cases of ATM card cloning and cheating were registered in Gurgaon. This year, 52 similar cases related to ATMs were registered by March 23 itself. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Represnetative Photo)

The cell wrote to the banks on March 21, asking them to install cameras at the earliest, after it was found that lack of CCTV footage was hampering investigation in several cases where the victims had lodged complaints.

Gurgaon has 1,306 ATMs in the district, of which several do not have functional CCTV cameras, according to the police. At some of the ATM booths, the guards meant to secure the installation are also absent, compounding the problem.

“We have written to the banks asking them to ensure that CCTV cameras are functional and that the system also has the capacity to restore data up to three months. In cases of ATM fraud, it is important to know the identity of the culprits to be able to nab them,” said Manish Sehgal, assistant commissioner of police (ACP), Gurgaon.

In 2016, 129 cases of ATM card cloning and cheating were registered in Gurgaon. This year, 52 similar cases related to ATMs were registered by March 23 itself. The number of online fraud cases registered in the whole of 2016 was 1,300, while 532 such cases have already been registered in Gurgaon this year.

It is because of the rise in such cases and the increasing sophistication by culprits that the cyber cell has asked the banks to ensure that the cameras are functional.

“In many cases of fraud, we have asked the banks to provide CCTV footage, but found that it is not available. It badly affects the investigation,” said Anand Kumar, in charge, cyber cell.

On February 9, when the Rs10 crore Manappuram gold heist took place, the culprits involved were identified immediately through the CCTV footage, helping the police investigation.