ATM Skimming / Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise

The international dimension to organized crime specializing in ATM skimming was demonstrated by a Europol (police) operation supported by North American and other regions law enforcement officers. More than 50 suspects were arrested, many by Bulgarian law enforcement. An ATM skimming investigation in the US used CCTV to establish that the suspect placed a skimming device on an ATM for four hours and compromised an estimated 50 cards. Fraud spend ranged from US$550 to US$3,000 per card. In a separate US incident, a suspect was sentenced to five years federal prison for involvement in ATM skimming. Swaziland Royal Police warned consumers about ATM skimming and PIN capture devices following an increase of incidents for the first half of the year. Albanian police arrested five Bulgarian suspects thought to be involved in ATM skimming.

Card Trapping / Cash Trapping

Card trapping and Cash trapping were prevalent in Europe. Gardai (police) in Ireland displayed examples of the type of cash traps being used which match those recovered in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

Transaction Reversal Fraud

Transaction Reversal Fraud was detected in the UK during July. Cards used to perform the transactions were pre-paid cards.

Ram Raid Attacks / Theft of ATM / Smash-and-Grab

The theft of an ATM in Thailand did not go according to plan as the suspect stole a passbook update terminal rather than the ATM. In Ireland, sentences included six years jail terms for the theft of an ATM. In the US, failed attempts included suspects targeting three ATMs which were securely bolted down. In the UK, two suspects were arrested after being observed by police attempting to load an ATM into their vehicle. In Australia, a 4x4 was used to ram raid a supermarket and remove an ATM

Safe Cutting / Safe Breaking / Theft from ATM

In Japan, it is estimated that up to 700 million yen has been stolen from ATMs situated in the evacuation zones following the tsunami and radiation leaks. An employee of a security company in India overcame dual control procedures and obtained the second combination which he used to remove cash from an ATM. In Australia, a suspect failed to gain access to an ATM using a sledgehammer. A hatchet used in a US attack also failed to overcome the ATM defences. In the UK, three suspects were charged following twelve or more thefts from ATMs. Also in the UK, suspects were disturbed attempting to gain access to an ATM at a supermarket. They had established an apparent construction site to disguise their actions.

Explosive Attacks

Explosive gas attacks were reported in Europe. In the US an explosive device caused damage but failed to access an ATM. ATM bombings continued in South Africa in July.

Event in Focus

pptiAfrica are hosting ATM & Card Fraud Investigation Techniques training between  November 1st and 4th at the Sarova Stanley Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. Presented by DFR Risk Management Ltd, the 4 day intensive training is now open for registrations by e-mail: pptiAfrica@gmail.com

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The above digest is provided by DFR Risk Management, who provide consultancy services advising ATM and self-service terminal deployers and manufacturers, as well as law-enforcement agencies, on how to manage ATM and self-service terminal fraud and security threats.