Ealing Borough Police were called by a member of the public to Coronation Road, NW10 at 0815hrs on Thursday 7th July 2005 following information that a man appeared to be tampering with an ATM machine.

 

The informant chased the suspect from the scene and during the chase, the suspect discarded a metal device.

Police units continued to search the area for the man when the informant spotted another male who was seen with the suspect near the cash point machine. He got into a silver rover, and at this point, the police arrested him and another three men.

 

Initial examination of metal devices recovered revealed that a device was attached to the card entry slot on the fake ATM facia and a separate miniature pinhole camera was hidden in the metal strip, which would be situated overlooking the PIN pad. These devices would have enabled the criminal to produce a counterfeit card and withdraw money at any cash machine using the legitimate PIN.

 

Detective Constable Tony Stroud Ealing Borough Police states

 

�These devices are highly sophisticated and look as if they are part of the machine itself. The device may only be placed on a machine for a very short period of time whilst the fraudsters remain nearby.

 

The fraudsters will eventually take the reading devices off and move to another location and do the same again.

 

We would remind members of the public using ATMs to be vigilant when inserting their card and if they suspect the machine has been tampered with they should report it immediately to the police or bank concerned.�

 

 

Cash machines are a convenient and safe way to withdraw money and get information about your account, however criminals do target cash machines.

 

• If you suspect a device has been placed on an ATM machine DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE IT . These are expensive devices and suspects may use violence if they think their precious commodity is likely to be interfered with. Instead call the police or contact the bank immediately.

• Stand close to the cash machine and do not let anyone see you enter your PIN.

• If someone looks suspicious or get too close whilst you're using the cash machine, cancel your transaction and go to another machine.

• Do not accept help from strangers and do not let anyone distract you.

• If the cash machine doesn't return your card, report it immediately to your card issuer. 

• Do not keep your card and PIN number together

 

July 25, 2005