International crime syndicate linked to ATM scam
Mex Cooper
March 24, 2009 -
3:58PM
An international crime syndicate is believed to be behind an ATM scam
in Melbourne's CBD that may have netted criminals more than $500,000, police
say.
A skimming device attached to an ANZ ATM at 353 Elizabeth Street is
suspected to have scanned about 5000 cards in the past month.
Have you
been affected by the ANZ ATM scam? Email us at scoop@theage.com.au
The
bank has had to cancel more than 2000 customers' cards believed to have been at
risk.
Skimming devices are attached to the front of ATMs, creating a
fake slot for bank cards.
A magnetic reader then records the cards'
details and a small optical camera films customers entering their pins.
The criminals can then access the device remotely using a mobile phone
or Bluetooth technology. The details are transferred to a blank card, which can
be used to withdraw money from an ATM.
Detective Senior Constable Brett
Colley from Melbourne Criminal Investigation Unit said investigations revealed
that a similar scam had operated in NSW, Queensland and New Zealand.
Detective Senior Constable Colley said he feared more machines in
Melbourne may have the devices fitted and warned bank users to be vigilant when
withdrawing money.
"Investigators believe the people responsible for the
activities are from an international organisation operating within Australia and
originating from somewhere in southern Europe,'' he said.
"We need the
public to be vigilant when using ATM machines or accessing any information
within their bank accounts (and) to try and identify any skimming machines that
may have been attached before they use them.''
Three skimming devices
were found on three different ATMs on King Street operated by different banks
but were removed before any withdrawals had been made.
Another device
was today found on an ATM in Melbourne's south-east.
Police would not
reveal which other banks had been hit by the scam.
Detective Senior
Constable Colley said you would not notice the skimming devices unless you were
looking for one.
"Obviously you need sophisticated knowledge of
electronic equipment to operate the device properly and the installation also
takes a degree of expertise to know that it's not going to be detected easily,''
he said.
ANZ is contacting affected customers and arranging new cards.
ANZ spokeswoman Vanessa O'Shaughnessy said customers would be reimbursed
for any losses.
Police advised people to cover ATM keypads when entering
their pin numbers and to check the machine did not look abnormal in any way.
Investigators want to speak with two males in relation to the devices.
One man was described as about 170 centimetres tall, unshaven with olive
skin and was wearing a black peaked cap, dark blue jumper, blue jeans, white
sneakers and had a black and grey Reebok backpack.
The second man was
about 180 centimetres tall with fair skin. He was wearing a white peaked cap,
black jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers and was carrying a distinctive
multi-coloured shoulder bag.
Anyone with information has been asked to
contact Crime Stoppers on 18000 333 000 or at http://www.crimestoppers.com.au/
Suddenly remember a friend of mine had sent me similar email regarding this issue happening in Indonesia.....
Went through my mailbox and.....
Looks like an ordinary ATM machine, doesn't it? In fact..... NO!!!!!
Slot for magnetic reader, which would scan and record cards' details.
Ordinary Flyer holder? Not at all.... An optical camera was attached to the site pointed by the red arrow...
Cool huh?
Optical camera faced the keypad and screen capturing customers typing in their passwords. The results then could be accessed via wireless connection....... How appalling is that?
Insight view of the flyer holder....
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Think ya good enough at identifying modified ATM machine now????
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Scary???? Those are pictures of the ATM machine in Indonesia anyway....
Please be careful everyone when using the convenience of your card.......
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