Gang of ATM Ganjal in Larangan Minimarket Tangerang Arrested

Evidence seized by the Police from a gang of ATM theft. ANTARA/HO-Metro Tangerang Police.

JAKARTA - A gang of four thieves with the ATM ganjal modus was arrested by a joint team of the Tangerang City Metro Police Criminal Investigation Unit while acting at a minimarket in the Larangan area, Tangerang City, Banten.

The Head of the Tangerang City Metro Police, Kombes Raden Muhammad, said the arrest began with the suspicion of officers while patrolling in the Cipondoh area. The four men were seen moving from place to place, targeting a number of ATM machines at minimarkets and gas stations.

The officers then followed until they finally found the perpetrators entering a minimarket on Jalan H. Adam Malik. At that location, the perpetrators were allegedly carrying out transactions using someone else's ATM card.

The operational team immediately moved quickly and secured the four perpetrators without resistance. They are known as initials M.T (29), F.P (20), E.A (23), and A (34) who each have different roles in carrying out their actions.

Starting from the perpetrator who blocked the ATM card hole using mica, lured the victim to enter the PIN, monitored the situation, to take the victim's ATM card that was left in the machine.

From the hands of the perpetrator, the police secured a number of evidence in the form of ATM cards from various banks, a modified clear mica ganjal tool, adhesive glue, and several mobile phones.

The disclosure by the Police Chief is proof of the seriousness of the police in eradicating crimes with fraudulent and theft-based technology.

"The modus operandi of ATM ganjel is very detrimental to the community. The perpetrators take advantage of the victim's hesitation to take over the card and drain the contents of the account. We will ensure that we will take firm action against the perpetrators," said the Police Chief in his statement.

From the results of the examination, the perpetrators were known to be a cross-regional network that had acted in a number of areas, ranging from Banten to East Java. They admitted that they had carried out similar actions several times with the result of tens of millions of rupiah.

For their actions, the perpetrators were charged with Article 477 of the Criminal Code concerning theft with a charge, with a threat of imprisonment of up to 7 years.