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Updated 16:59 IST, December 21st 2023

Sophisticated hack targets Canara Bank ATM in Chandigarh: ₹1.5 Lakh illegally drained

Unidentified hackers breach Canara Bank ATM, withdraw ₹1.5 lakh in 2020; case registered after recent internal audit discovery.

Reported by: Garvit Parashar
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Canara Bank ATM hacked in Chandigarh
Canara Bank ATM hacked in Chandigarh | Image: Unsplash

In a significant security breach that occurred three years ago but has recently surfaced during an internal audit, unidentified individuals successfully hacked into a Canara Bank ATM in Chandigarh's Sector 40, siphoning off ₹1.5 lakh through three fraudulent transactions in 2020.

The incident marks a pioneering case where criminals targeted the ATM, located adjacent to the Canara Bank branch in Sector 40. The branch manager reported the breach in a police complaint, emphasizing the uniqueness of the situation.

The investigation revealed that the illicit transactions occurred on October 3, 4, and 7, 2020, as captured by closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. The footage depicted unidentified persons entering the ATM kiosk and engaging in suspicious activities. These individuals were observed using debit cards from HDFC Bank and RBL Bank, manipulating the machine, and leaving with the dispensed cash.

According to the branch manager's complaint, "The accused hacked into the machine and used forged ATM cards to withdraw ₹1.5 lakh, but the said amount had not been debited from any account."

In response to the incident, a case has been registered under Sections 378 (theft), 420 (cheating), 463 (forgery), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 66 of the IT Act. The complaint was filed by the manager of Canara Bank, Sector 40-C, Chandigarh, against unidentified persons at the Sector 39 police station.
 

Published 16:59 IST, December 21st 2023