Jaipur Police’s Jhotwara police station has uncovered an interstate ATM fraud syndicate known as the “Mewat Target Gang” and arrested three accused, including the alleged kingpin. The gang is accused of carrying out ATM card swapping fraud and cybercrime operations across multiple states.
The gang was active in Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, targeting victims through organised ATM-related fraud schemes.
Police recovered 98 ATM/debit cards, a Baleno car allegedly used in the crimes, cash, mobile phones and fake number plates from the accused.
Investigators said the gang operated in a highly organised manner and adopted strategies to destroy evidence and hide in different states after committing offences.
The investigation began on May 13 after Jhotwara resident Mukesh Meena reported that two unidentified youths distracted him while he was withdrawing money from an Axis Bank ATM, swapped his ATM card and later withdrew money from his account.
Following the complaint, police examined footage from around 700 CCTV cameras. Technical analysis of data from previous ATM fraud cases was also conducted, leading to the identification of suspects.
Based on information from informants and technical surveillance, police traced the gang’s location. A police team then pursued the suspects for approximately 200 kilometres on motorcycles before arresting all three accused.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Shakib alias Kalu, described as the gang leader, Andal and Tahir Hussain. All three are reported to be linked to the Palwal and Nuh districts of Haryana.
During police interrogation, it emerged that the group called itself the “Target Gang” because it predetermined a target of carrying out at least four to five incidents in every city it entered.
The gang allegedly focused on vulnerable individuals, including elderly people, women and those with limited technical knowledge. Members would enter ATM booths under the pretext of offering assistance and then distract victims before swapping their ATM cards.
Investigators said the gang followed a structured method. Members first identified potential victims outside ATM booths. When an elderly person or woman entered an ATM, one of the accused would enter as well.
The accused allegedly attempted to observe the victim’s PIN number and then created confusion around the ATM machine interface. During this process, the victim’s card was swapped without their knowledge.
The original card was then used at another ATM to withdraw money. Police said that if a victim resisted, the accused would forcibly take the card and flee.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted involvement in more than 50 incidents across Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur and Chittorgarh in Rajasthan, as well as in Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
Police said the network operated across state boundaries and that dozens of cases had already been registered against its members in multiple states.
According to police records, Shakib alias Kalu has been arrested several times previously and faces more than 16 criminal cases in Rajasthan.
He has previously been arrested in Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan in connection with ATM fraud and cybercrime cases. In 2022, authorities reportedly recovered more than 100 ATM cards and swipe machines from his possession.
Police investigation found that members of the gang allegedly shared money obtained through fraud and spent it on expensive hobbies, travel and personal comforts in various cities.
The accused frequently changed their identities and moved between cities to evade law enforcement, investigators said.
Police said efforts are continuing to identify and apprehend other members of the gang. Investigators are also examining whether any individuals providing banking or technical assistance were connected to the network.
Authorities are additionally seeking to determine through which accounts and channels the allegedly defrauded funds were withdrawn
