Police in Siliguri have arrested a suspect and recovered 19 ATM cards while probing multiple incidents of card-skimming and related frauds that occurred in July and August, officials reported on Thursday.
Arrest at NBMC Outpost; alleged modus operandi
Officers from the North Bengal Medical College (NBMC) out post detained a man on Tuesday night after an inquiry into a pattern of thefts centred on cash withdrawal points in the city, police said. The arrested person was identified as Jagannath Gharami, a resident of Depara in Baruipur, and was produced before the Siliguri Sub‑Divisional Court the following day.
According to investigators, the accused is alleged to have targeted customers at an ATM located in front of the BSF camp in the Durga Mandir–Kadamtala area. He reportedly offered to assist people withdrawing cash and then switched their cards with others he carried, enabling subsequent unauthorised withdrawals.
Police said they suspect "a well-organised interstate fraud network" operating across North Bengal, Odisha, Asansol, Burdwan and Assam.
Related arrests and suspected tactics
Police drew links to two other incidents during the course of the investigation. On July 23, an Atharokhai resident, Dipankar Barman, found his card missing after it had got stuck in an ATM in the Shiv Mandir area; Rs. 8,000 was later withdrawn from his account. Authorities said the victim had called a helpline number displayed on the machine and was directed to Bagdogra before discovering the card was gone. Officers suspect fraudsters may have used skimming or jamming devices and fraudulent helpline numbers to obtain trapped cards.
Earlier, on July 5, police intercepted a suspicious vehicle at Milan More and arrested Pramod Kumar Sahani, Manoj Mahato and Sudhis Paswan, all reported to be from Bihar. Items recovered from that interception included multiple ATM cards, a firearm, two rounds of ammunition, a knife and other paraphernalia; one person reportedly escaped during the operation, police said.
- Arrested: Jagannath Gharami (Depara, Baruipur); Sumit Kumar (Nalanda, Bihar) arrested later from Kamakhya, Assam.
- Recovered: 19 ATM cards from Gharami; various cards and weapons in the Milan More interception.
- Noted incidents: Card loss at Shiv Mandir (July 23) with Rs. 8,000 withdrawn; multiple arrests on July 5 following vehicle interception.
Police probe and wider implications
Investigating officers have indicated that the pattern of arrests and recoveries points to an organised group that may be operating across state borders. Locations mentioned in police statements include areas across North Bengal as well as parts of Odisha, Asansol, Burdwan and Assam. The probe is continuing to establish links between the separate cases and to identify any further suspects or victims.
| Accused | Residence / Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jagannath Gharami | Depara (Baruipur) | 19 ATM cards recovered; arrested by NBMC out post |
| Sumit Kumar | Nalanda (Bihar); arrested at Kamakhya, Assam | Linked to card‑stuck incident at Shiv Mandir (Rs. 8,000 withdrawn) |
| Pramod Kumar Sahani, Manoj Mahato, Sudhis Paswan | Reportedly from Bihar; intercepted at Milan More | Several ATM cards, a firearm, two rounds of ammunition, knife recovered; one person fled |
Bank customers in Siliguri are being advised to remain vigilant at ATMs: shield PIN entries, avoid accepting unsolicited help, and confirm helpline numbers from bank branches rather than relying on numbers displayed on machines, police suggested. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to examine whether additional offences and suspects are connected to the arrests made so far.
The cases have drawn attention to growing concerns over card‑related fraud in the region and the methods criminals use, including devices such as skimmers and jammers, as well as social‑engineering techniques to obtain cards and PINs, police noted.
