Notorious ATM Thief Arrested in Sambhal; Used Metal Plate to Steal Cash from Customers

Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh | January 31, 2026

In a major breakthrough, the Sambhal Police have arrested a notorious ATM thief involved in tampering with cash dispensing machines to steal money from unsuspecting customers. The accused, a resident of Haridwar, employed a sophisticated method by inserting an iron plate into the ATM cash slot, preventing cash from being dispensed despite the amount being debited from the customer’s bank account.

According to police officials, once the transaction failed and the distressed customer left the ATM kiosk, the accused would return and retrieve the cash stuck inside the machine. Using this technique, the thief targeted multiple ATMs across different cities, cheating customers without raising immediate suspicion.

The case came to light after employees of India First ATM lodged a complaint regarding repeated incidents at their Chandausi ATM, where customers reported account debits without receiving cash. Acting swiftly on the complaint, Sambhal Police initiated an investigation and thoroughly examined CCTV footage installed inside and around the ATM kiosk.

Based on CCTV evidence and technical surveillance, the police successfully identified and apprehended the accused, thereby exposing the entire modus operandi of the ATM fraud.

Repeat Offender

During interrogation, the accused revealed that he used to travel across various cities to target bank ATMs. Police confirmed that he had previously been arrested in a similar ATM theft case in Saharanpur.

Police Advisory

Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi stated that the accused would deliberately block the cash dispensing slot using a metal plate. To spread public awareness, the police have also released a video explaining the method used in such ATM thefts.

The SP urged citizens to remain vigilant while withdrawing cash from ATMs and advised that in case money is debited but cash is not dispensed, the matter should be immediately reported to the bank and the police. Customers were also advised to check their surroundings carefully before leaving an ATM kiosk.