Kattappana: Police have arrested a man for allegedly embezzling money by duping ATM users in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. 

Thambiraj (46), hailing from Karuppasamy Kovil in Tamil Nadu, was arrested for embezzling money from an ATM user in Kattappana. According to police, Thambiraj seized an ATM card from Kattappana native Sreejith S Nair and withdrew money from his account.

The accused used to place paper clippings inside the ATM card slots, restricting users from withdrawing money. Later, the accused befriended the user and assured help. 

According to Sreejith, the accused borrowed his ATM card and replaced it with a duplicate card without his knowledge. When Thambiraj inserted the duplicate card in the machine, and Sreejith entered the pin, a message appeared informing him he had entered the wrong PIN. Unable to retrieve the money, Sreejith removed the fake ATM card and left. 

Thambiraj afterwards used the original card to withdraw money from Sreejith's account. When inquired about money debited from his account, Bank authorities informed Sreejith that he was carrying someone else's ATM card, police said. Following this, a complaint was filed before the police which led to the arrest. Probe is underway.