MULTIPLE reports of damaged automated teller machines have emerged from the Sentul area in Kuala Lumpur, with CCTV footage allegedly showing a suspect systematically targeting banking facilities.
The incidents, which occurred over two consecutive days, have left banks counting significant losses and raised concerns about security at unmanned banking counters.
But has someone really been going around smashing ATMs across the city?
Verdict:
TRUE
Around RM64,000 in damages have been reported following a series of ATM vandalism incidents in the Sentul area in Kuala Lumpur.
CCTV footage of the suspect vandalising the ATM machines has since gone viral on social media.
Sentul OCPD Assistant Commissioner Basri Sagoni said in a statement that authorities were notified on Feb 16 by a complainant stating that four ATMs at a bank in Jinjang Selatan had their screens smashed.
"Losses were estimated to be around RM4,000. On Feb 17, four additional reports of vandalism were received at two more banks in Jinjang Selatan and two in Jinjang Utara. Those losses have been estimated to be around RM60,000," he said.
In total, 12 ATMs have reportedly been damaged.
Investigations show that the suspect was wearing a grey short-sleeved shirt, long pants and black slippers during the incidents.
"The modus operandi involved the suspect entering the counter area, immediately smashing the ATM machine screen using an object believed to be a stone, and then fleeing the scene," he said.
"No other criminal elements have been identified so far," he added.
