Two Bulgarian nationals on a holiday trip to Seychelles from Mumbai are being sent back to India after Seychelles authorities found a video camera with a number of CCTV footage of various ATM kiosks, supposedly to be in south Mumbai, with them.
The Mumbai police suspect that the duo might be part of an international gang instrumental in siphoning off money from ATM machines through skimming devices.
According to a police officer, the Bulgarian nationals were detained by Seychelles officials on Monday after their movements were found to be suspicious.
The Seychelles authorities, while frisking the two, came across a small device that turned out to be a video camera.
"When Seychelles authorities started scanning the videos, they came across a number of footage that looked like ATM centres. Cyber fraudsters install small cameras in ATM centres to capture PIN numbers of card users," said a crime branch officer.
Once Seychelles authorities detained them, they informed the immigration authorities at the international airport in Mumbai, who then requested their deportation, and informed the Mumbai crime branch.
"Both the Bulgarian nationals had travelled to Seychelles from Mumbai and hence they were sent back to Mumbai. The crime branch was involved as they had video footage of ATM centres and there is a possibility that they could be part of a gang that carries out skimming frauds at various ATM centres in Mumbai," the officer said.
"We will be questioning them about the footage. Further course of action will be taken depending upon their replies and how they can prove their claims," said an officer.
Why police smell an international racket
In 2013, 36 people, including 14 policemen, from Mumbai became victims of card-skimming on at least six ATM centres in south Mumbai. Investigations revealed that two Bulgarian nationals were behind the crime. The Mumbai police sought information from Bulgaria about the accused. However, till date, the duo have not been arrested.
