ATM fraudsters find innovative ways to con naive targets

A recent spate in thefts outside ATMs in the Middle East countries have got the Indians worried. With no dearth of innovative ideas to loot a person off his money, the Indian fraudster may get even better ideas from their Middle East counterparts who are adopting unique and one off ideas to fool their targets.

For instance, the recent news of an Asian con man snatching cash from an innocent bank customer is doing the rounds of the Internet for his unique way of theft. It is said that the man waited for his victim to withdraw cash from the ATM. After this, he walked close to him and vomited on his clothes. On the pretext of apologising and helping him clean his shirt, the man stole Dh 10,000 from his pocket. The victim came to know about it only after the Asian had left the scene. 

In another incident, a man was caught red-handed trying to steal money from a woman by fooling her into believing that her car has a major oil leak. As the woman stepped out of her car to check the leak, the man opened the door on the other side and fled with her bag, which contained cash and other important documents.

As people are urged to be aware of such fraudsters, a spike in online fraudulence is also worrying security forces in the Middle East. They have issued directives to the people about the do's and the dont's of online transactions. They have issued instructions not to share personal data, ID numbers, account numbers or other details over email or telephone. 

Back in India, security officials are battling a similar situation where con men work together to conduct such thefts. Security directives have been issued widely among bank customers to ensure safety of their bank accounts. Customers are directed not to linger in the ATM or the bank premises, immediately after making a transaction. They are also requested not to talk to strangers who have been seen loitering in the premises. Some of the other do's and dont's include taking care of one's own belongings and not giving in to any excuse to leave the belongings unattended. 

• middle east
• fraud