Chandigarh MC official loses ₹67k to trickster in ATM card swap at Kharar

A Chandigarh Municipal Corporation official lost nearly ₹67,000 after his ATM card was swapped for a counterfeit in Kharar, police reported. The incident occurred during a routine banking transaction, after which the fraudster used the compromised card to make five separate transactions.

Police said the first charge was ₹41,590 at a jewellery shop in Chandigarh. Following that, the accused withdrew ₹10,000 from two different ATMs and ₹5,000 from a third machine. A final purchase of ₹1,140 was made at a liquor vend. Together, the transactions drained the official’s account from ₹67,832.84 to just ₹102.84.

The official, whose name has not been disclosed, approached the police after noticing the drastic reduction in his balance. Officers have recorded the incident and are reviewing the transaction records. While details about the identity of the accused remain unclear, the police have confirmed that the card was swapped during the initial interaction.

The episode has sparked concern among municipal employees about the security of their banking tools. Officials have advised staff to verify card integrity before handing them over for any exchange and to monitor account statements regularly. The incident also underscores the need for vigilance when using ATMs and point‑of‑sale terminals.

Authorities have not released any further information about possible arrests. The investigation continues, and the municipal corporation has indicated it will review its internal procedures for handling employee financial tools.

Source: Hindustan Times