inp.polri.go.id - North Sumatra. The North Sumatra Regional Police General Criminal Investigation Directorate successfully dismantled a cross-provincial aggravated theft syndicate using ATM theft methods on Sunday (8/10/2025).

The group was known to operate in several areas, including Medan, Riau, and South Tangerang, targeting random victims at public ATMs.

The case came to light after a victim from Medan, LS, reported a loss of IDR 706 million in his account balance after making a transaction at the Selayang Gas Station ATM on February 20, 2025.

At that time, his ATM card repeatedly failed to be read. One of the perpetrators, pretending to help, then exchanged the victim's ATM card with a modified one, memorizing the PIN entered by the victim. Several hours later, the victim's account was drained at another ATM.

"The perpetrators prepared modified toothpicks to jam the ATM card slots. They operated in groups, with some tasked with jamming the machines, swapping cards, monitoring the area, and withdrawing cash. They have implemented this method in various regions," said the Director of Criminal Investigation of the North Sumatra Regional Police, Senior Superintendent Ricko Taruna Mauruh, in an official statement on Monday (8/11/2025).

Police arrested four suspects: MD alias K (the mastermind), HH alias M, HS alias B, and PS alias P. Two of them are known to be repeat offenders in similar cases with extensive criminal records.

The confiscated evidence included dozens of modified ATM cards from various banks, ATM card slot jammers, a motorcycle, and clothing worn during the crime.

The arrests were made separately in Medan, Riau, and Tangerang after a series of intensive investigations and cross-regional coordination.

The suspects were charged under Article 363, subsidiary to Article 362 of the Criminal Code, concerning aggravated theft, which carries a maximum sentence of nine years in prison.

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