Waiter robs patrons of 9 Mumbai restaurants who gave him their card’s PIN number, still on the run
One of the restaurants where the accused worked as a waiter (inset: Chandra Shekhar)
If you’re someone who doesn’t think twice before disclosing their PIN to the waiter getting your bill, here’s a perfect example of why doing that might not be a good idea anymore.
According to a report in leading daily, a waiter, identified as Chandra Shekhar, has served at least 9 establishments in the city and made a run with the customer’s credit/debit card immediately after learning their PIN. The waiter has created such a furore, that bars and restaurants have had to issue internal circulars to warn against hiring Shekhar.
An official attached to Gamdevi Police station, where a case against the accused is registered, said, “Shekhar’s modus operandi involved getting placed at one of the bars in the city which did good business and had regular clientele. He would choose such bars as regular clients usually share a good relationship with most waiters and don’t think twice before sharing their PIN with them.”
“Getting job wasn’t difficult for the accused since he knew the job well and would not haggle for salary. In the first few days, he would study the clients to ascertain which of them were well off. Then, as soon as he got his hands on their PIN, he would flee the restaurant with their credit or debit card. Before the owner could even realise that the waiter had fled with his card, Shekhar would withdraw as much cash as possible from a nearby ATM,” he added.
Reportedly, the restaurants that have filed a case against the accused are Mahesh Lunch Home and Bar in Kurla, Chandra Shekhar are Deepa Bar & Restaurant in Ghatkopar, Mamta Bar & Restaurant in Mulund, Vishwavihar Bar & Restaurant at Cotton Green, Mangesh Bar & Restaurant in Dombivali, Swagat Bar & Restaurant in Vakola, Supriya Bar & Restaurant at Grant Road, and two bars in Thane.
Officials from Gamdevi Police suspect that the accused may have robbed patrons from more restaurants, who might have considered it a one off case and not filed a complaint.
While cops are on the lookout for Shekhar, tracing him is proving to be difficult as he only works at one location for a few days and keeps changing his SIM cards. They suspect that the accused has robbed the restaurant patrons of anywhere between Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh.
