Police said the accused is linked to four cases involving ₹46,000 and targeted people depositing money at ATMs in Chandrayangutta and Kanchanbagh.

Accused linked to four cases

The accused, identified as Abdallah Obaid Al Katheri alias Abdullah, was arrested on April 17 near an Axis Bank ATM at Chandrayangutta crossroads. During questioning, police said he confessed to committing multiple similar offences using the same modus operandi.

Police linked him to four cases registered in Chandrayangutta and Kanchanbagh police station limits, where victims were allegedly cheated of a total ₹46,000. In one case, ₹10,000 was recovered.

How the fraud was executed

Police said the accused approached people depositing cash at ATMs, offered to transfer the amount through PhonePe, took the cash from them and showed a fake "payment successful" screenshot generated through a fraudulent application.

By the time victims realised no money had been credited, he had fled. Police said the fraud exploited public trust in UPI transactions while combining digital deception with attention diversion theft.

Complaint triggered investigation

The case surfaced after complainant Abdul Naser reported being cheated of ₹10,000 at the Chandrayangutta ATM on April 6, following which a case was registered and investigation taken up.

Arrest and recovery

Based on credible information, police apprehended the accused near the same ATM where one of the offences took place. Police recovered ₹10,000 from his possession.

The accused was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Police team to be rewarded

The case was cracked under the supervision of A. Sudhakar and S. Sreenivas. Police said the investigation team will be rewarded for swiftly solving multiple cases and preventing further offences.