Card Fraud...The Police can't catch them? Look at allegedly Drug relationship?

Detectives from the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad have released CCTV of a number of men who police believe can assist with their investigation into an ATM skimming syndicate.

Since the middle of January 2014, detectives have noticed a marked increase in the incidence of ATM skimming throughout Sydney.

More than 40 ATMs have been targeted in a number of Sydney suburbs, including Artarmon, Avalon, Balmain, Bexley, Bondi Junction, Burwood, Campsie, Caringbah, Chatswood, Clovelly, Dee Why, Double Bay, Dural, Gordon, Hurstville, Haymarket, Kingsford, Mona Vale, Mosman, Neutral Bay, Parramatta, Ramsgate, Rockdale, Seven Hills, Strathfield, St Ives and the Sydney CBD.

Police from the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad are investigating the incidents and believe those responsible are part of an organised group with links to Eastern Europe.

Last month, on Thursday 13 March 2014, two foreign nationals –one Hungarian and Romanian – were arrested after allegedly tampering with an ATM on Market Street in Sydney. Both men are currently before the courts.

The Commander of the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said police believe there are still a number of people out there fitting skimming devices to vulnerable ATMs.

“Our investigation, which has been strongly supported by a number of banks, suggests that the spike in ATM skimming incidents can be attributed to an organised syndicate targeting ATMs in suburbs right across Sydney,” Detective Superintendent Katsogiannis said.

“The skimming devices the group are using are capable of copying card details while a tiny video camera records people entering their personal identification numbers.

“A copy of the compromised card is then created, with all of the capabilities of the original, allowing the group to access the account holders’ funds at liberty.

“While we have arrested some members of the group, we know there are still a number out there, so cardholders need to exercise caution when using ATMs.

“Make sure you carefully cover the hand entering the PIN with your other hand, a newspaper or a magazine.

“It’s also important to regularly check your bank account transactions so that if you spot any suspicious withdrawals you can contact your financial institution before more money goes missing.”

Detectives have today (Monday 28 April 2014) released CCTV of a number of men who they believe can assist with their investigation.

Rolling vision captured at an ATM on Market Street in Sydney during the evening of Friday 28 March depicts two men who police believe can assist with their investigation.

The first man captured in the vision is described as being of Eastern European appearance and aged in his twenties or early thirties. In the vision he is wearing a navy blue, long-sleeved shirt.

The second man captured in the vision is described as being of Eastern European appearance and aged in his twenties or early thirties. In the vision, he is wearing a navy blue polo shirt and black baseball cap.

In addition to the rolling CCTV, detectives have also released one CCTV still of one other man who may be able to assist police with their investigation.

The CCTV still was captured at an ATM on Beamish Street in Campsie on Friday 21 March 2014. The man depicted in the image is described as being of Eastern European appearance and aged in his late thirties or forties. In the image, he is wearing a light-coloured, long-sleeved shirt, dark pants and shoes and a dark baseball cap.

Detective Superintendent Katsogiannis encouraged anyone who recognises the men to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.

“If you know who these people are, please contact us.

“You can provide information anonymously. We don’t need to know who you are, all we need is the information you have to hand so that we can catch the people responsible for these crimes and put them before the court.”

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