Jaipur: In hotbeds of cybercrimes, banks are installing ATMs inside houses and small shops without proper verification.
In a recent meeting with representatives of 14 leading banks, senior officials of Rajasthan police including SPs of Bharatpur, Bhiwadi, and Alwar told banks about the rampant misuse of ATMs.
As per the information accessed by the TOI, cops alerted banks that ATMs have been set up inside houses and shops in regions like Mewat which are mostly used by cyber criminals to illegally withdraw money. The police have also requested banks to promptly shut down such suspicious ATMs.
“We discovered that these ATMs were mostly used by scammers. How many ATMs were installed is another topic, but we also discovered that many ATMs are operating in areas where there is little commercial activity,” said an official, adding that banks should be careful while installing ATMs in areas like Mewat which are fast emerging as bastions of cyber frauds. The police also emphasized the importance of conducting thorough verifications of locations before installing ATMs. This stringent measure aims to prevent the installation of ATMs in areas that are particularly susceptible to criminal activities.
Also, the police agencies have also told banks that they must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned police station before setting up any ATM. This additional step ensures that the police are aware of and have approved the placement of ATMs in specific areas.
“The lack of proper verification procedures has made these ATMs vulnerable to exploitation by cybercriminals,” said an official. The police have also asked banks that proper monitering was need to curb increasing cases of cyberfrauds.
Also in the same meeting, the police raised the issue of enhancing video surveillance at existing ATMs. They urged the installation of CCTVs that are connected directly to the police’s control rooms, enabling real-time monitoring of potential threats as surveillance will act as a deterrent against potential threats. To facilitate investigations, the police requested that banks to promptly provide all data requested by law enforcement agencies.
In a recent meeting with representatives of 14 leading banks, senior officials of Rajasthan police including SPs of Bharatpur, Bhiwadi, and Alwar told banks about the rampant misuse of ATMs.
As per the information accessed by the TOI, cops alerted banks that ATMs have been set up inside houses and shops in regions like Mewat which are mostly used by cyber criminals to illegally withdraw money. The police have also requested banks to promptly shut down such suspicious ATMs.
“We discovered that these ATMs were mostly used by scammers. How many ATMs were installed is another topic, but we also discovered that many ATMs are operating in areas where there is little commercial activity,” said an official, adding that banks should be careful while installing ATMs in areas like Mewat which are fast emerging as bastions of cyber frauds. The police also emphasized the importance of conducting thorough verifications of locations before installing ATMs. This stringent measure aims to prevent the installation of ATMs in areas that are particularly susceptible to criminal activities.
Also, the police agencies have also told banks that they must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned police station before setting up any ATM. This additional step ensures that the police are aware of and have approved the placement of ATMs in specific areas.
“The lack of proper verification procedures has made these ATMs vulnerable to exploitation by cybercriminals,” said an official. The police have also asked banks that proper monitering was need to curb increasing cases of cyberfrauds.
Also in the same meeting, the police raised the issue of enhancing video surveillance at existing ATMs. They urged the installation of CCTVs that are connected directly to the police’s control rooms, enabling real-time monitoring of potential threats as surveillance will act as a deterrent against potential threats. To facilitate investigations, the police requested that banks to promptly provide all data requested by law enforcement agencies.
