Fake tax officers loot ATM cash van escape with ₹7 crore
Men disguised as central tax officers intercepted a CMS cash van, seized cash boxes, briefly detained the staff, and fled. Police are now scanning citywide CCTV to track the gang.
Bengaluru witnessed a dramatic daylight robbery on Tuesday when a group of men, cleverly disguised as Central Government tax officials, intercepted an ATM-cash loading van and walked away with crores in cash after a meticulously planned deception.
The incident unfolded near the Ashoka Pillar in Jayanagar, a usually busy and well-policed neighbourhood. According to investigators, the suspects halted the CMS cash van by claiming they needed to “verify documents and inspect the cash,” presenting themselves with such confidence and authority that the staff initially believed they were genuine government officers.
Police sources said the van, operated by CMS Info Systems, had just collected cash from the HDFC Bank branch in JP Nagar and was headed for multiple ATM refill points when the heist took place. An Innova car—believed to be the same vehicle used by the robbers—suddenly blocked the van’s path. Within moments, the suspects took charge, forcing the staff to follow their instructions.
The robbers then shifted both the CMS employees and several cash boxes into their own vehicle. They drove towards Dairy Circle, maintaining the appearance of an official inspection to avoid suspicion during the busy afternoon traffic. After reaching the Dairy Circle flyover, the gang abandoned the staff there and fled with the cash.
Initial estimates suggest that the suspects made off with around ₹7 crore, making this one of the most daring cash-van robberies Bengaluru has seen in recent years.
Investigators believe the gang escaped towards Bannerghatta Road, using its multiple exits and high traffic density to disappear before police patrols could respond. In the hours that followed, South Division police launched an extensive manhunt—checking vehicles, reviewing CCTV trails and coordinating with neighbouring jurisdictions.
Multiple checkpoints have been set up across the city, and officers are especially on the lookout for grey Toyota Innovas, matching the description provided by the victims. CCTV footage from Jayanagar, Dairy Circle and stretches of Bannerghatta Road is now being scrutinised frame by frame in an attempt to track the getaway route.
DCP South Lokesh Jagalasur told reporters that a formal briefing will only be issued once the complainant’s statement is fully recorded and verified. “We will share all confirmed details with the media soon,” he said, adding that the priority for now is identifying the culprits and recovering the stolen cash.
Meanwhile, senior officers are examining whether the robbery involved insider information, given the precision with which the suspects targeted the van and the timing of the interception. Police teams are also reaching out to nearby establishments and motorists who may have witnessed the unusual “inspection.”
As the investigation intensifies, Bengaluru residents remain stunned at how easily the robbers pulled off the heist in broad daylight—using nothing more than fake uniforms, fabricated authority and flawless confidence.