AFP officers seized cash as part of an investigation into an alleged skimming scheme. Photo: AFP.
Two Romanian nationals have been charged over their alleged roles in a card skimming scheme which netted $800,000 from ATMs across Sydney and the Illawarra.
The AFP began investigating in April after several banks reported that Sydney ATMs were allegedly being tampered with.
Police alleged the two men inserted thin metal devices, known as skimmers, into the card slots of ATMs in Warilla, Shellharbour, Fairy Meadow, Warrawong and Berkeley.
It’s also alleged they inserted skimmers into ATMs located in several Sydney suburbs, including Chatswood, Darlinghurst and Burwood.
“Using this process, the men allegedly cloned bank cards with the stolen data and defrauded victims of a total of more than $800,000,” an AFP statement read.
“It is also alleged the men obscured pinhole cameras on ATM machines to avoid detection.”
Search warrants were executed at the men’s Chatswood home, as well as at a Homebush storage facility, on 22 May.
Multiple electronic devices, false passports, a “large quantity” of skimmers and cash suspected to be the proceeds of crime were seized.
One skimmer was retrieved from an ATM and is subject to fingerprinting analysis.
The two Romanian nationals were arrested shortly afterwards, and a third man was questioned and released pending further enquiries.
Both men, aged 41 and 48, were charged with one count of dealing in money worth $100,000 or more believed to be proceeds of crime and one count of possessing or controlling a thing with intent to dishonestly obtain or deal in personal financial information.
The 48-year-old man was also charged with importing the skimmers, while the 41-year-old man has additional charges of possessing a false foreign document and submitting false or misleading information to a reporting entity.
AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson said criminals employed various tactics to dupe victims and their only motivation was to fill their own pockets.
“These brazen schemes hurt hardworking Australians who are already feeling the financial pinch,” she said.
“This scheme stole more than $800,000 from hardworking Australians and went straight into the pockets of criminals.
“A message to potential criminals – your actions can always be traced, and the AFP will not hesitate to apprehend and prosecute you.”
AFP Det Supt Andersson advised everyone to keep an eye on their bank statements.
“If you notice unauthorised transactions in your bank accounts, please notify your bank and block the account.”
The investigation also involved assistance from the NSW Police Force, the United States Secret Service and financial institutions.
The two men are scheduled to face Hornsby Local Court.
If you believe you have fallen victim to cybercrime, immediately report to police using ReportCyber.
If you are concerned your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service IDCARE.
