Cross-Province ATM Skimming Syndicate Busted, Losses Reach Rp100 Million in Probolinggo
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- Polda Jawa Timur menangkap lima anggota komplotan pencurian ATM yang beroperasi di lebih dari 50 lokasi.
- Kelompok residivis ini memakai tusuk gigi untuk mengganjal kartu dan menukar ATM korban secara diam-diam.
- Pelaku dijerat pasal pencurian dengan pemberatan, ancaman hukuman sembilan tahun penjara.
The Directorate of General Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimum) of the East Java Regional Police has uncovered a theft syndicate using the ATM card-slot blocking method that had operated at more than 50 locations across three provinces. Five members of the gang were arrested in separate operations in Tangerang, Cikampek, Nagreg, Garut, and Ciamis.
The perpetrators, all repeat offenders in similar cases, carried out their actions in an organized manner with a clear division of roles. They targeted ATMs at minimarkets and toll road rest areas along the route from Banyuwangi to Merak, with the highest concentration in East Java and Central Java.
Head of Sub-Directorate III Jatanras of Ditreskrimum East Java Regional Police AKBP Arbaridi Jumhur revealed that the arrests began with a report of an ATM blocking case in Singosari, Malang, on 16 September 2026. "We managed to secure five suspects in different areas," he said at the East Java Regional Police Headquarters, Surabaya, Thursday (1/10).
Head of Unit III of Sub-Directorate III Jatanras of Ditreskrimum East Java Regional Police AKP M Fauzi explained that the perpetrators exploited the victim's panic. A toothpick was inserted into the card slot before the victim arrived. When the card got stuck, one perpetrator pretended to offer help, while an accomplice queued behind to peek at the PIN. "Once the ATM card was handed over, it was immediately swapped with the perpetrator's card, and then the victim was asked to re-enter the PIN," said Fauzi.
After the PIN was known, another perpetrator immediately headed to the nearest ATM to drain the balance. If it was under Rp10 million, the money was withdrawn in cash. However, if the balance exceeded Rp20 million, the funds were transferred to a number of holding accounts, including the account of the unregistered wife of one suspect. "In Probolinggo, one case reached Rp100 million and was drained immediately," Fauzi revealed.
Jumhur added that this gang was formed from acquaintances made in prison while serving sentences for similar cases. They had tactics to evade pursuit: after an action, they never stayed overnight in a hotel, but immediately returned to their respective hometowns. "They would only arrange to meet again at a certain rest area for the next action," he said.
The arrest of the five suspects was quite difficult for officers because their domiciles were spread across Tangerang, Cikampek, Nagreg, Ciamis, and Tasik. Police are still hunting for possible other perpetrators involved in this network.
This case highlights security gaps in ATM machines, especially in public areas with sparse supervision. The ATM blocking modus operandi is not new, but this syndicate showed a high level of organization with inter-provincial mobility. The public is urged to be more vigilant, especially when transacting at rest areas or minimarkets, and not to easily trust strangers offering help.
The five suspects are now detained and charged under Article 476 or 477 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, with a maximum prison sentence of nine years. Police continue to develop the case to uncover a wider network.
