In a shocking revelation, a father and son from Lucknow have been arrested for allegedly orchestrating an ATM fraud scheme in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. The duo, identified as Umakant Mishra and his son Uday Mishra, reportedly used a plastic track to manipulate ATMs and withdraw cash fraudulently. Police recovered Rs 3,500 cash from them, along with the plastic device used in their scheme. Their modus operandi, reliance on cash transactions, and unexpected wealth left locals stunned.
The incident unfolded when Riyaz, a resident of Mahmoodabad, attempted to withdraw Rs 5,000 from an ATM near the Fauji Restaurant on Mahmoodabad-Lucknow Road. Though the transaction appeared successful on the ATM screen, and Rs 5,000 was deducted from his account, the machine failed to dispense any cash. Frustrated, Riyaz exited the ATM booth, intending to contact the helpline.
At this point, Umakant and Uday Mishra, who had been loitering outside the ATM, seized the opportunity. They entered the booth and used a plastic track to access the stuck cash. Suspicious of their actions, Riyaz confronted them, leading to an argument. His cries for help attracted the attention of bystanders, who quickly alerted the police. Upon arriving at the scene, Kotwali police detained the father-son duo.
CO Dinesh Shukla, who is handling the investigation, explained the method behind their fraud. “They would insert a plastic track at the ATM’s cash dispenser. When a user faced a technical issue, they would assume the cash was stuck and leave. Then, the accused would remove the track and take the cash,” he said. He also noted that both men had multiple cases against them and had recently been released from jail.
Upon questioning, the accused admitted to using this tactic to withdraw Rs 3,500 on this occasion and Rs 1,800 during an earlier attempt. Despite their arrest, neither Umakant nor Uday appeared concerned, hinting at their familiarity with the criminal justice system.
Interestingly, the father and son adhered strictly to cash transactions. They carried Rs 500 notes, paid only in cash, and flaunted a lifestyle far beyond what one might expect. Their reliance on ATM fraud as a means of income and their unabashed attitude toward it has raised eyebrows among law enforcement and locals alike.
Both Umakant and Uday Mishra have been remanded to custody and face charges in connection with multiple cases of ATM tampering and fraud across Lucknow and Sitapur.
