Rajiv Pralhad Kulkarni, a resident of Mysuru, was apprehended recently for his involvement in a series of fraudulent activities targeting senior citizens at ATMs in the Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad regions. The accused, a 52-year-old man, allegedly used his ill-gotten wealth to finance his friend’s medical treatment for a back condition, her husband’s heart surgery, and even splurged on gifts like a car and a scooter for the woman. These extravagant purchases, along with the stolen money, were all seized by the police during their investigation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Sandeep Singh Gill revealed some crucial details about the investigation, stating, “Our inquiry has led us to identify at least 16 cases of card swap fraud in areas such as Vishrambaug, Sahakarnagar, Bibvewadi, Sinhagad Road, Kothrud, Vishrantwadi, Alandi, Bhosari, Cantonment, Bharati Vidyapeeth, and Shivajinagar. The total amount defrauded across these incidents has reached a staggering Rs 17.9 lakh.” However, the police suspect that there may be many more victims as Kulkarni was found in possession of 166 ATM cards, raising the possibility that he could have swindled over 100 individuals across various ATM locations. The authorities urge more victims to come forward and report any fraudulent activity they might have encountered.
Timeline of Events and Arrest
Rajiv Kulkarni was apprehended by the police on February 5 in Navi Peth, after a thorough examination of several CCTV footages that tracked the movements of the suspect. His arrest followed the complaint of an elderly victim who reported being swindled out of Rs 22,000 during a card swap at an ATM on Lal Bahadur Shastri Road on the evening of February 2. Kulkarni was initially remanded into police custody by a local court, and upon the conclusion of his remand period, he was placed under judicial custody and subsequently transferred to Yerawada Jail.
In-Depth Investigation and Methods
Senior Inspector Vijaymala Pawar of Vishrambaug Police Station, along with Inspector Arun Ghodke, traveled to Mysuru as part of the investigation into Kulkarni’s activities. During their probe, they uncovered that Kulkarni had been carrying out similar card swap frauds in Pune since 2022. Interestingly, Kulkarni had lived in Pune in the past, giving him ample knowledge of the city and its ATM locations, which he specifically targeted over areas in Karnataka and other regions. His method of operation was deceptively simple yet effective.
Kulkarni’s tactic was to loiter outside ATM kiosks, closely observing for elderly individuals entering. Once he spotted a potential victim, he would follow them into the kiosk and offer assistance with their ATM transaction. Through manipulation and flattery, he would convince the elderly person to share their PIN number, which he secretly noted down. Meanwhile, he would slyly replace the victim’s original ATM card with an old, blocked one, all while diverting their attention. Once the swap was complete, Kulkarni would exit the ATM and use the stolen card and PIN to withdraw funds, often draining the accounts of his unsuspecting victims.
Personal Life of the Accused
Despite being a criminal, Kulkarni’s personal life paints a more complicated picture. Authorities have revealed that he was not married, but had been residing with a female friend and her husband in Mysuru for an extended period. Using the funds from his criminal activities, Kulkarni not only supported the woman’s medical expenses, including treatment for a back ailment, but also covered the cost of her husband’s heart surgery. To further cement his role as a benefactor, Kulkarni even purchased a car and a scooter for the woman. The authorities, having seized these luxury items, continue to delve into the broader scope of his crimes.
Growing Concern and Future Investigations
Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Singh Gill also expressed concern over the scale of Kulkarni’s fraudulent activities. With the discovery of 166 ATM cards in his possession, the authorities are now investigating the possibility that Kulkarni had defrauded more than 100 victims at multiple ATM locations. His arrest and the ongoing investigation have led to the identification of multiple victims who had their funds stolen without realizing it. The police are optimistic that more individuals will come forward as the investigation continues. They are urging anyone who may have been affected by similar card swap frauds to report their cases.
Conclusion
Rajiv Kulkarni’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the battle against ATM card fraud, particularly crimes targeting vulnerable senior citizens. His calculated methods, preying on elderly individuals who may have been unfamiliar with the latest banking security protocols, are a stark reminder of the lengths criminals will go to exploit others. With the stolen funds being funneled into personal luxuries and medical expenses, this case also highlights the deceptive nature of Kulkarni’s facade as a caring friend.
As the police continue their probe into Kulkarni’s activities, they remain hopeful that more victims will come forward and contribute to further unraveling the full extent of his fraud schemes. The seizure of the car and scooter
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