Patna, Dec. 31: The city police are still groping in the dark about the disappearance of Rs 10 lakh from Samastipur resident Yogender Rai’s account.

Rai, a retired engineer in Samastipur, lodged an FIR with the Kotwali police station on Thursday after Rs 10 lakh was stolen from his State Bank of India account on December 23 after his debit card was swapped mysteriously.

Rajnikant, a resident of Bihar Sharif, was arrested after Rs 5 lakh was transferred to his account from Rai’s.

Deputy superintendent of police (law and order) Lalit Mohan Sharma said: “At present, the police are investigating the matter. We have spoken with the bank officials concerned and Rajnikant is being questioned about his alleged involvement in the swindle.” Rai, however, is not the only one to face such a situation.

The police said in most cases of ATM-related thefts and crimes, the account holders are often the ones who are blamed.

“They do not follow any rules when they are at an automatic teller machine (ATM) counter. They tend to take things casually, unaware that criminals are always on the look out for an opportunity to trick them,” a police officer said.

In August this year, a person went to the SBI ATM at Boring Road roundabout to withdraw cash. As he was a new card user, a stranger offered help. Obliged, the man agreed, withdrew his money and left the booth. A week later, he discovered around Rs 10,000 was missing from his account.

Similar incidents were reported from Begusarai in September.

An official of ICICI Bank said: “All the ATM machines have in-built cameras as well as guards. But the responsibility of protecting your money is on you. One has to stay alert and strictly follow the guidelines.”

The police said they have come across ATMs which are occupied by more than one person.

“Why should a person withdrawing money allow others to enter the booth? It is nothing but being irresponsible,” said an officer.