Mumbai: Borivali man arrested for duping senior citizens in ATM card swap fraud

Francis Patrick Fernandes, the accused. Pics/By Special Arrangement

The Kasturba Marg police have arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly duping senior citizens through a debit card swapping fraud in Borivali East. The accused, Francis Patrick Fernandes, was caught outside an ATM booth on Carter Road No. 9. A search of his bag revealed a shocking haul of 71 debit cards. According to the police, the accused lived with his widower father, who is suffering from paralysis.

Debit cards seized from the 37-year-old by the Kasturba Marg police

Investigations revealed that Fernandes allegedly learned the trick from a group of youths from Uttar Pradesh who would travel to Mumbai to commit ATM-related fraud. He subsequently turned the scam into his full-time "business," cheating dozens of unsuspecting victims over several months.

The team of investigators

The Crime Detection team carried out the operation under the supervision of Senior Police Inspector Jayraj Ranaware,
along with:

>> PI Jaymala Vasave
>> API Sarla Thorat
>> PSI Dhiraj Vaykos
>> PSI Aniket Shinde

The accused would allegedly observe victims' PINs and swap their debit cards while ostensibly assisting them. Representation Pic/iStock

The modus operandi

>> Fernandes targeted senior citizens at ATMs in Borivli East under the pretext of helping them withdraw cash
>> He would observe victims' PINs and swap debit cards, allegedly cheating three on February 7, 10, and 13.
>> He has been booked under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and 66(d) of the IT Act

Police advisory

The cops have urged everyone not to share debit cards or PINs with strangers under any circumstances

Case that led to arrest

When Santosh Shiva Naik, 75, visited the Bank of India ATM on February 7 around 11.45 am to withdraw money, the accused allegedly offered assistance, memorised the PIN, swapped the card, and later withdrew Rs 10,000 from the victim's account. Based on CCTV footage analysis, police found that Fernandes frequently visited the ATM every few days to target the elderly. A trap was laid outside the ATM, leading to his detention and subsequent arrest on February 17.

Feb 7
Day 75-year-old was duped by accused in Borivali East