Post by kas on Jan 16, 2011 21:33:13 GMT -5
5 Arrested in ATM Scam; Nearly $135k Reportedly Stolen
Scanners targeted Lower Merion banks, others, and more than 140 people victimized, prosecutors said.
By Sam Fran Scavuzzo | January 14, 2011
Five men were arrested Friday in connection with an ATM scanner ring that allegedly withdrew nearly $135,000 from 143 victims' bank accounts throughout Montgomery and Chester counties, prosecutors said in a news release.
Investigators allege that between Oct. 1 and Dec. 23, 2010, Dimitar Tanchev, Dragomir Lipov, Ismail Misankov, Dimcho Vasilev and Krasimir Uzunov placed "skimmer" devices on ATMs at several Citizens Bank and Wells Fargo Bank branches in Lower Merion Township and other municipalities, and fraudulently withdrew $134,570.57.
During that time residents from those two counties reported money disappearing from checking accounts without their knowledge or permission, prosecutors said.
According to the news release:
The arrested men, three of whom had immigration detainers filed against them, allegedly used the stolen information to make withdrawals from ATMs.
In addition to Lower Merion, ATMs in Lower Providence Township, Springfield Township and West Whiteland Township were targeted.
The investigation was a collaborative effort among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, state police, county district attorneys, and local officials. In Lower Merion, Police Superintendent Michael McGrath assisted.
The five men are charged with corrupt organizations, identity theft, unlawful device making equipment, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, theft by deception, access device fraud and criminal conspiracy.
During the arrest at a Lower Providence Township hotel, officials found skimming devices and related equipment. Further investigations yielded similar finds from vehicle, a Chester County hotel room, and a West Norriton Township storage locker.
On Friday, the defendants were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar, and bail was set at $250,000 cash. All five were committed to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in default of bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19. The cases will be prosecuted by the Captain of the Economic Crime Unit Katherine McGill Magid.
Police ask residents to report further information or other incidents involving skimmer device to Lower Providence Detectives at 610-539-5900.
Scanners targeted Lower Merion banks, others, and more than 140 people victimized, prosecutors said.
By Sam Fran Scavuzzo | January 14, 2011
Five men were arrested Friday in connection with an ATM scanner ring that allegedly withdrew nearly $135,000 from 143 victims' bank accounts throughout Montgomery and Chester counties, prosecutors said in a news release.
Investigators allege that between Oct. 1 and Dec. 23, 2010, Dimitar Tanchev, Dragomir Lipov, Ismail Misankov, Dimcho Vasilev and Krasimir Uzunov placed "skimmer" devices on ATMs at several Citizens Bank and Wells Fargo Bank branches in Lower Merion Township and other municipalities, and fraudulently withdrew $134,570.57.
During that time residents from those two counties reported money disappearing from checking accounts without their knowledge or permission, prosecutors said.
According to the news release:
Skimmer devices are sophisticated machines placed discreetly over the card-slot of an ATM. The devices are used in conjunction with a hidden pinhole camera. When a customer uses a compromised ATM machine to make a transaction, the skimmer device captures electronic information from their ATM card, and the pinhole camera records the customer entering their PIN number. The information captured from the skimmer is then used to create a fraudulent ATM card, which can be used to steal money from an unsuspecting customer’s account.
The arrested men, three of whom had immigration detainers filed against them, allegedly used the stolen information to make withdrawals from ATMs.
In addition to Lower Merion, ATMs in Lower Providence Township, Springfield Township and West Whiteland Township were targeted.
The investigation was a collaborative effort among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, state police, county district attorneys, and local officials. In Lower Merion, Police Superintendent Michael McGrath assisted.
The five men are charged with corrupt organizations, identity theft, unlawful device making equipment, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, theft by deception, access device fraud and criminal conspiracy.
During the arrest at a Lower Providence Township hotel, officials found skimming devices and related equipment. Further investigations yielded similar finds from vehicle, a Chester County hotel room, and a West Norriton Township storage locker.
On Friday, the defendants were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar, and bail was set at $250,000 cash. All five were committed to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in default of bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19. The cases will be prosecuted by the Captain of the Economic Crime Unit Katherine McGill Magid.
Police ask residents to report further information or other incidents involving skimmer device to Lower Providence Detectives at 610-539-5900.
ardmore.patch.com/articles/5-arrested-in-atm-scam-nearly-135k-reportedly-stolen-2