Delhi ATM fraud: Repeat offender arrested in Mayur Vihar, 3 cards seized
Synopsis
A repeat offender with six prior FIRs was caught in the act after a victim spotted him at a second ATM booth in Trilok Puri. The accused allegedly swapped cards by distracting users at the machine — a low-tech but effective scam that Delhi Police say has victimised multiple people across the capital.
Key Takeaways
Asif , 30, a resident of Loni, Ghaziabad , was arrested by Delhi Police for ATM card-exchange fraud in Mayur Vihar, East Delhi .
Three ATM cards were recovered from the accused, including one belonging to complainant Md.
The fraud took place on 17 September 2026 at an Axis Bank ATM in Trilok Puri .
The accused has six prior FIRs registered against him at multiple Delhi police stations between 2024 and 2026.
A second associate remains absconding; police are working to apprehend him and link the duo to other incidents.
The arrest has helped resolve two cases , including FIR No.
416/2026 at PS Mayur Vihar.
Delhi Police have arrested a 30-year-old man identified as Asif, a resident of Loni, Ghaziabad, for allegedly carrying out ATM card-exchange fraud in the Mayur Vihar area of East Delhi. Three ATM cards were recovered from his possession, including one identified by the complainant. The accused has previously been named in six criminal cases across multiple Delhi police stations.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The incident occurred on 17 September 2026 at approximately 11:15 am at an Axis Bank ATM in Trilok Puri. The complainant, Md. Galib Hussain, had visited the ATM booth to withdraw cash when two men allegedly engaged him in conversation, distracting him while he operated the machine.
According to police, the suspects allegedly observed or obtained Hussain's ATM PIN during the interaction and then swapped his original card with a visually similar card before he could notice. The exchange was discovered only after Hussain completed his transaction and inspected the card in his hand.
Arrest and Recovery
After realising his card had been swapped, Hussain searched nearby ATM booths and spotted the same suspects at a second Axis Bank ATM in the area. When confronted, both suspects allegedly attempted to flee. Police personnel apprehended one of them — identified as Asif — on the spot. The second associate remains at large, and efforts are underway to trace him.
A case was registered at PS Mayur Vihar under FIR No. 416/2026, invoking Sections 318(4), 317(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The arrest was carried out by a team working under the supervision of Inspector Dinesh Moral, SHO, PS Mayur Vihar.
Accused's Modus Operandi and Criminal History
During questioning, Asif allegedly disclosed that he and his associate specifically targeted ATM users who appeared unfamiliar with operating cash machines — making them easier to distract. The duo would engage victims in conversation, observe their PINs, execute the card swap, and subsequently use the stolen cards for unauthorised withdrawals.
Police said the accused has a documented history of similar offences, with six prior FIRs registered against him at stations including PS Krishna Nagar, PS Mansarovar Park, PS Burari, Cyber PS North-East, PS Jagat Puri, and PS Harsh Vihar — spread across 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Scope of Investigation
The arrest has so far helped police resolve two cases — the present FIR at PS Mayur Vihar and E-FIR No. 80067031/2026 registered at PS PIA. Investigators are now examining whether Asif is linked to additional incidents, working to identify further victims, trace withdrawn amounts, and recover any remaining evidence. This comes amid a broader pattern of card-skimming and distraction-based ATM fraud cases reported in Delhi's east and northeast districts in recent years.
Police are also pursuing Asif's absconding associate, whose arrest could potentially unlock details of a wider network of similar crimes across the capital.
Point of View
High-yield, and deceptively hard to prosecute because victims often cannot identify perpetrators on the spot. What stands out here is that the complainant's quick thinking in chasing the suspects to a second ATM booth is what enabled the arrest; without that initiative, this would have been another unresolved case. With six prior FIRs, Asif's continued activity raises questions about whether bail conditions in previous cases adequately restricted his movement. The absconding associate and the instruction to check for other victims suggest this may be part of a coordinated network rather than opportunistic crime.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ATM card-exchange fraud and how does it work?
ATM card-exchange fraud is a scam where criminals distract a victim at a cash machine, observe their PIN, and swap the victim's card with a visually similar dummy card. The fraudster then uses the stolen card and PIN to make unauthorised withdrawals, while the victim only realises the swap after leaving the ATM.
Who was arrested in the Mayur Vihar ATM fraud case?
Delhi Police arrested Asif , a 30-year-old resident of Loni in Ghaziabad, on charges of ATM card-exchange fraud in the Mayur Vihar area. He was apprehended near a Trilok Puri ATM booth after the complainant, Md. Galib Hussain, identified him and alerted police.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
A case was registered at PS Mayur Vihar under FIR No. 416/2026, invoking Sections 318(4), 317(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused also has six prior FIRs registered against him at various Delhi police stations between 2024 and 2026.
Is a second suspect also in custody?
No. The second associate, who was present during the fraud, escaped and is currently absconding. Delhi Police say efforts are actively underway to trace and apprehend him.
How can ATM users protect themselves from card-swap fraud?
According to police, fraudsters typically target users who appear unfamiliar with ATM machines. Users should avoid sharing their PIN with strangers, shield the keypad while entering it, never accept help from unknown bystanders at ATM booths, and immediately verify their card after every transaction.
