The Delhi Police has arrested two Ukrainians for allegedly spiriting away money by cloning ATM cards in national Capital. Police said that they have also recovered 137 ATM clones and cash more than Rs 4 lakh from the possession of the duo.

The accused have been identified as Mykhailo Lukianoe (26), a resident of Sumska Obiast Puthi city in Ukraine and Maksym Dorofeiev (30), a resident of Krivoyrog Oblast in Ukraine.

According to Sameer Sharma, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), West district, on November 20, specific inputs were received regarding

suspicious transaction by

some foreign nationals at State Bank of India ATM situated near Tagore Garden Metro Station.

“Acting on the inputs a police team reached the spot and apprehended the two foreign nationals. Their cursory frisking was performed and total 137 plain plastic cards carrying serial numbers written by marker and having magnetic strip on rear side, four paper slips having serial numbers and PIN numbers and Indian currency Rs 4,05,500 in cash from their possession,” said the Additional DCP.

“During interrogation, the duo revealed that they along with their other four associates also from Ukraine had stolen the data of ATM cards from different countries and later cloned those over the plastic cards meant to be used in Hotels and gift cards,” said the Additional DCP.

Explaining the modus operandi of the accused Additional DCP said that the accused used to give each card serial number and PIN number, which is noted down on a paper.

“After collecting sufficient data and completion of cloning process, the gang members flew to different countries on tourist Visa to withdraw cash. After withdrawing cash they convert the local currency into Dollar and Euro and return to their country,” said the Additional DCP.

“On November 9, they arrived to India and since then they were withdrawing cash from State Bank of India ATMs in National Capital. The duo has disclosed that it was their sixth visit to India with the same purpose. They stay in different hotels and withdraw money from nearby State Bank of India ATMs during late hours. After withdrawing the cash, they got the same converted in Euro or Dollars. They used to keep the money in their body while passing through the immigration,” the Additional DCP said. 

“Their interrogation is in progress to find out the source of data related to cloned cards and other vital information related to the case. Raids are being conducted to nab their remaining associates at their possible hideouts,” the Additional DCP added.