Police Arrest Two Suspects in ATM Card-Swapping Syndicate in North Jakarta

The Penjaringan Police have arrested two men suspected of being involved in a theft syndicate that operates by jamming Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) inside a shop on Jalan Muara Baru, Penjaringan, North Jakarta. The suspects, identified by their initials RPY (33) and ED (27), were allegedly caught in the act of targeting a female victim, AH, who was attempting to withdraw money. The incident occurred on Saturday (20/6) at around 9:00 a.m. local time. According to the police, the first suspect used the ATM while the victim queued behind him, and the second suspect queued behind the victim. The first suspect then inserted a toothpick into the machine before leaving. When the victim inserted her card, it could not be used. Seeing her panic, the second suspect offered assistance, and the victim handed him her ATM card. The suspect then swapped her card with a prepared one and removed the toothpick from the machine. The victim realised the card she was holding was not hers and screamed, prompting residents to apprehend the two suspects before handing them over to the police. Officers secured 17 ATM cards, two mobile phones, a wallet, and a motorcycle as evidence. The suspects are charged under Articles 476 and 477 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of five to nine years in prison. Police have urged the public to be cautious and never share their PIN with strangers, advising them to contact their bank immediately if their card becomes stuck in a machine.