KARACHI – An organized gang of IT experts involved in hacking Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and defrauding citizens has been busted in Karachi. According to details, the gang was busted by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) during an operation, including a female accomplice who has also been identified in the group. According to the SSP, this group hacks ATMs and positions itself outside banks. When a citizen uses an ATM and his card is jammed, a gang member pretends to help by calling the helpline. During the call, they extract the victim’s password and other sensitive information. In a recent case in Nazimabad, a senior citizen was defrauded of Rs 450,000, whose CCTV footage captured the incident. A woman and her two accomplices are clearly visible in the footage. The police revealed that this gang has committed similar incidents in many cities including Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. An investigation is underway to dismantle the entire network.

Citizens are advised to be vigilant while using ATMs and avoid seeking help from strangers. Meanwhile, experts have warned certain ATM card holders that there is a high risk of losing all the money in their bank account. Bank account holders are always advised not to use their date of birth, name, or any information that is known about them as their password.