Mumbai: A routine day near Vikhroli railway station turned into a crucial breakthrough for the Mumbai Police when the alertness of two local residents led to the arrest of a Romanian national involved in an ATM card cloning racket. The incident, which occurred on November 11, 2018, eventually resulted in the accused being sentenced to seven years in jail.
Suspicious behaviour at ATM leads to alert
Two friends chatting near an ATM kiosk close to the railway station noticed a man enter the ATM wearing a cap and face mask. The same man had reportedly visited the kiosk the previous day in a similar disguise. ATM users are required to remove face coverings for security purposes, and the man’s deliberate attempt to conceal his identity immediately raised suspicions among the locals.
The two residents called the police helpline to report their concern. A beat constable patrolling nearby was alerted and rushed to the ATM. The man inside, on seeing the constable, attempted to flee but was quickly stopped.
Cloned cards and cash discovered
During the search that followed, the police found 53 cloned debit cards and ₹3.71 lakh in cash in the possession of the accused, identified as 50-year-old Carivan Ayon Mariyan, a Romanian national. The discovery confirmed the locals’ suspicions and revealed a well-organised attempt at financial fraud.
According to investigators, Mariyan would allegedly install skimming devices inside ATM kiosks to steal users’ banking information. The data, including PINs, was then used to manufacture cloned debit cards, enabling unauthorised withdrawals from multiple accounts.
Previous cases in other states
Police sources stated that Mariyan already had four cases registered against him in Uttar Pradesh for similar offences. Between 2016 and 2018, several Romanian nationals had reportedly been detained in Mumbai for using comparable methods to target vulnerable ATM kiosks across the city.
Officials said that Mariyan’s possession of dozens of debit and credit cards belonging to Indian citizens could not be explained by him at any stage of the investigation. There was no evidence that he had any authority to use the cards, nor did he claim that the withdrawals were made for the benefit of the account holders.
Eyewitness testimony seals conviction
During the trial, CCTV footage from the ATM was not submitted. However, the magistrate relied heavily on the testimony of the two eyewitnesses who first noticed the suspicious activity and helped police apprehend the accused. Their prompt action and cooperation with the authorities formed a crucial part of the prosecution’s case.
The court observed that Mariyan’s failure to justify possession of over 48 cloned cards significantly strengthened the charges against him. The judgement noted that his actions amounted to clear misuse of bank data and fraudulent withdrawals.
Sentenced to seven years
In 2020, Mariyan was found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to cheating and forgery, as well as relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. He was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment by a magistrate court in Mumbai.
Importance of citizen vigilance
This case underscores the role of citizen vigilance in preventing financial crimes, especially those involving electronic transactions. The proactive response of the two individuals near the ATM not only helped nab the accused but also prevented further potential losses to unsuspecting account holders.
Officials continue to urge the public to remain cautious, especially in unguarded ATM kiosks, and to immediately report suspicious activity to the police. As digital banking grows, law enforcement agencies emphasise that preventing fraud requires both technological safeguards and active public cooperation.