Police in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir have arrested an individual accused of executing fraudulent ATM transactions by swapping debit cards of unsuspecting customers, leading to the recovery of a significant amount of misappropriated cash.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the arrest was executed by a special team following the registration of a formal case at the Thathri Police Station, where complainants alleged that their cards were surreptitiously exchanged at an automated teller machine kiosk. The investigation was launched after specific inputs pointed to an organized attempt to defraud bank customers in the region.
The inquiry commenced after a written complaint was lodged on January 19, 2026, by a local resident, Shafkat Hussain. Hussain reported that he had visited a J&K Bank ATM in the Thathri area to withdraw cash. During the transaction, an unknown individual allegedly intervened, distracting him and fraudulently exchanging his ATM card with another. The victim later discovered that an unauthorized withdrawal of ₹45,000 had been made from his bank account using the stolen card.
As investigators delved deeper into the matter, a second victim, Hazoor Din, came forward with a similar grievance. He reported that ₹14,000 had been siphoned from his account under identical circumstances, confirming that the perpetrator was utilizing a consistent modus operandi to target victims. Consequently, a formal case under FIR No. 07/2026 was registered at Police Station Thathri. A dedicated investigation team was constituted under the overall supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Doda, Sandeep Mehta, to trace the suspect.
Acting swiftly on credible intelligence leads generated during the probe, the police team successfully intercepted the accused at Zero Point Jangwalwar. The suspect has been identified as Mudassir Ahmad Ganaie. During a personal search at the time of the arrest, officers recovered ₹49,000 in cash from his possession, which investigators believe to be the proceeds from these fraudulent activities. The police have stated that further investigation into the case is currently in progress to determine if the accused is linked to other similar incidents in the district.
The incident underscores a troubling rise in banking-related frauds in the Chenab Valley region. Fraudsters have increasingly targeted Chenabi residents by loitering inside or near ATM kiosks, waiting for opportunities to distract unsuspecting users or offering “help” to swap cards under false pretenses. This method often leaves victims unaware of the theft until they receive transaction alerts or check their balances.
Law enforcement officials have issued a strong appeal to the general public to exercise caution. Residents are urged never to share their ATM cards, PINs, or other sensitive banking details with unknown persons. The police have also requested citizens to immediately report any suspicious movement or activity near banking facilities to the nearest police station to prevent such financial crimes.
The Chenab Times News Desk