Installing skimming device in ATM kiosk; African caught

An alert e-surveillance team of a private security firm helped the city police nab an African national while he was attempting to fix a skimmer at an ATM kiosk in Rajajinagar on Friday.

The arrested has been identified as Nyiro Ismail, a resident of Babusapalya and a native of Kampala in Uganda. His associate managed to escape from the guards, the police said.

According to the police, complainant Mallaiahswamy, a member with the e-surveillance team of Clear Security Services Private Limited, stumbled across the two foreigners who were moving suspiciously near an HDFC bank’s ATM on MKK Road in Rajajinagar 2nd Block. Mallaiahswamy had a hunch that the two would definitely return to the ATM and was prepared with his men.

Their hunch proved true when the two foreigners came back to the ATM to measure the dimensions for fixing the skimmer. The guards surrounded them and managed to nab Ismail.

The police suspect the duo may have identified many more ATMs to install the skimming devices. The police have obtained clues about Ismail’s associate, James Wenceslaus Ritte, and are on the hunt. Their passport and other travel documents are also being verified.