ATM card users in Nepal alerted after fraud threat

Nepalese Police today asked all ATM card users in the country to immediately change their PIN codes in view of potential threat of fraud after three foreigners were arrested for illegally withdrawing a huge amount of money by stealing bank details.
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police issued the security alert after it was found that an international criminal ring was involved in stealing PIN numbers and passwords to withdraw money from ATM booths in Nepal.
CIB has arrested three Romanian fraudsters in connection with ATM fraud along with technical equipment used for the purpose.
"The arrested criminals have already transmitted ATM pin numbers among their other international crime partners. Therefore, we advice public to change their ATM pin code at the earliest," said CIB Chief DIG Nawaraj Silwal.

According to CIB data, there are 3.5 million ATM users in Nepal and ATM information of most of them have been compromised.
"Earlier, the gang used to steal ATM PIN from foreign countries and cash it in Nepal. But now they have started stealing Nepali people's PIN code and steal the money," said DIG Silwal.

The equipment confiscated from the arrested Romanians include 353 ATM cards, hidden camera, forged ATM number keypad, card personalisation machine, among others.
The police also recovered Rs 300,000 and 1000 Euros from the foreigners.
The arrested foreigners used to extract money out of ATMs placed at various tourist spots in Kathmandu including Durbarmarg, Thamel, and Basantapur.