Itanagar, Sept 06: The Itanagar Capital Police have arrested a thief who managed to rob ATMs 26 times, amassing a total of Rs 40 lakh, all while drawing inspiration from YouTube tutorials.
The thief in question has been identified as Tabi Hilli, originally from Shi Yomi district but residing in Pachin Colony at present. Interestingly, Hilli’s background is unrelated to cybercrime; he previously worked as a driver and a watchman.
Hilli’s modus operandi was as clever as it was deceitful. He devised a method involving the placement of pebbles inside the ATM cash dispensing door, leaving it slightly ajar. When an unsuspecting customer tried to withdraw cash, these pebbles would obstruct the door, preventing the cash from being dispensed.
Unaware of the manipulation, the customer, believing the ATM to be malfunctioning, would abandon their transaction. At this point, Hilli would swoop in, remove the pebbles, and make off with the cash that the customer intended to withdraw.
The illicit pattern of ATM tampering drew the attention of the State Bank of India (SBI), which reported substantial losses due to repeated incidents. In response to the complaint, the police launched an investigation, meticulously examining ATM surveillance footage and the surrounding area.
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Reviewing the footage, the police observed Hilli approaching the ATMs and going through the motions of a regular customer. However, he would abruptly leave the scene shortly thereafter. Subsequently, a genuine customer attempting to withdraw money would face difficulties, with the ATM recording a debit but no cash dispensed. Seizing this window of opportunity, Hilli would return within 8-10 minutes to make off with the money.
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Hilli had honed his ATM tampering skills by watching instructional videos on YouTube. His criminal activities date back to 2019, during which he successfully pilfered over ₹4 lakhs.
Shedding light on the extent of his actions, SP Capital, Rohit Rajbir Singh, disclosed that out of more than 100 attempts, 26 were directed at ATMs in Zero Point, Itanagar itself.
Tabi Hilli’s arrest took place on September 3, 2023, near Gandhi Market, opposite Heema Hospital. A team of police officers, led by Inspector K. Yangfo, OC of Itanagar Police Station, executed the arrest. During this operation, a stolen scooty was also recovered from Hilli’s possession. Subsequently, he was presented in court and remanded to police custody.
SP Capital Singh issued a warning to the public regarding this emerging ATM tampering technique. He emphasized the financial losses and distress it can cause to unsuspecting bank customers. He urged individuals encountering non-dispensing ATMs not to leave the scene but instead to contact the bank or the police.
Tabi Hilli’s arrest serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving landscape of criminal tactics, highlighting the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting in safeguarding financial assets.
