Romanian gangs spreading across India to evade cops

NEW DELHI: Romanian gangs have been spreading their net across the country, especially in Delhi and Kolkata, where they are primarily involved in several cases of debit and credit card fraud.

Investigators claimed that the gangs, after stealing cards or card data from ATMS, withdraw money from different states so as to dodge investigators.

Meanwhile, to tighten the noose on the activities of such gangs, Delhi Police held a meeting with Kolkata Police in South Delhi this year where vital inputs were shared.

It took place soon after the district police arrested some Romanian nationals who robbed several unmanned ATMS in the Capital.

The arrest was made from MB road in Saidulazab. After further investigation, two more foreigners were arrested in the case.

A Delhi Police investigator, explaining the modus operandi

To tighten the noose on the activities of Romanian gangs robbing ATMS, Delhi Police held a meeting with Kolkata Police in South Delhi this year where vital inputs were shared

of the gangs, stated that after not getting visa for India, many often enter the country through Nepal via road.

"After stealing money, it is suspected that the accused again visit Nepal and change the stolen currency and flee," said the investigator.

A senior police officer from Kolkata Police told Millennium Post that the gangs work with different strategies; for instance, after stealing data from Kolkata, they prepare cloned cards in different states and then, through different unmanned ATMS, withdraw cash there.

"They also choose states where the population of foreigners is more. Either they live there or spend their vacation in Goa, Jaipur or Delhi," said the Kolkata Police officer.

He added that more than 100 complaints regarding such frauds were reported in Kolkata and the accused in most of these cases belong to Romanian gangs.

In August, the Kolkata Police arrested two Romanians for being involved in the ongoing ATM fraud in Kolkata.

According to the Delhi Police officer, before committing the crime, the accused put on helmets and masks, so as to avoid face detection.

Around 3 or 4 am, they visit unmanned ATMS and use skimmers with spy camera.

"They visit the ATMS next day and then take out the skimmer and camera. They then prepare clone cards and withdraw money," said the officer.