What happened
According to the victim, 52-year-old Vinod Shrivastava, he had gone to the SBI ATM located opposite Rajput Gun Factory to withdraw money. While he was at the machine, an unidentified young man approached and offered to help. The two spoke briefly, Shrivastava told officers, and he left without noticing anything amiss.

Timeline and discovery
A short time later Shrivastava began receiving SMS alerts of withdrawals from his bank account. Initial reports indicate roughly ₹30,000 had been moved out in multiple transactions. Alarmed, he contacted his bank and then went to Civil Lines police station to register a complaint, officials said late Sunday afternoon.

Police response
Civil Lines station personnel have filed a first information report (FIR) against an unknown person and launched an investigation, an officer at the station confirmed. “We are examining CCTV footage from the ATM and nearby shops to identify the accused,” the officer said, adding that detectives were also coordinating with the bank to trace the transaction trail.

Forensic and banking checks
Sources familiar with the inquiry said the bank has been asked to freeze any remaining funds and to share the payment system logs and the sequence of withdrawal messages. Investigators hope to determine whether the card was cloned, swapped, or skimmed and whether the suspect used the victim’s PIN or a separate card in quick succession.

CCTV and eyewitnesses
Police teams have already begun reviewing closed-circuit TV footage captured around the SBI kiosk and at adjacent junctions. Local shopkeepers and passersby have been questioned for sightings of suspicious persons in the vicinity at the time of the incident. “We are trying to establish the precise movements of the man who offered help and any accomplices,” the officer added.

Impact on locals
The incident triggered nervousness in the neighbourhood on Sunday, several residents said. Small groups gathered outside the ATM while police took statements and technicians checked cameras. “People here usually withdraw cash in the afternoon; now everyone is more cautious,” said a shopkeeper close to the bank.

Official advisories
Police urged citizens against accepting assistance from strangers while transacting at ATMs and reminded them never to share ATM card details or PINs. “If someone offers help, politely refuse and move to a secure area inside the bank branch,” the Civil Lines station advised in a public notice. Banks also recommend covering the keypad while entering the PIN and checking account alerts immediately.

Background and pattern
ATM card-swapping and related frauds have been reported periodically in various cities, often involving quick card substitution or use of cloned cards. Financial crime investigators say such scams typically rely on distraction, friendly conversation, or sleight-of-hand to separate a customer from the original card long enough for the perpetrator to withdraw money.

Next steps
Investigators said they expect to identify the suspect soon if CCTV and transaction records yield a lead. The bank has been asked to file its incident report and assist with account-level forensic data. Meanwhile, the victim is pursuing both criminal and banking remedies to recover the debited amount.

Advice for customers
Police and bank officials reiterated standard ATM safety tips: use machines in well-lit, busy locations; shield your PIN; check your balance and SMS alerts frequently; and report immediately to the bank and police on noticing suspicious activity.