CCTV footage shows how ATM thieves operate (in pictures)
Suspect pretends to be a good Samaritan and skims local resident's ATM pin.
CCTV VIDEO footage has captured the shocking sequence of events as a suspect fits a device to an ATM, then offers his assistance to a victim, before withdrawing R4 000.
The visuals which were sent to Northglen News from Durban North SAPS and is meant to warn residents about being vigilant when using their cards at ATMs. There is no mention of where the incident took place.
With the festive season looming, using an ATM carries a number risks. Criminals have devised various scams such as card skimming, swapping of cards and ATM shoulder surfing.
In this series of pictures, the criminal fits an x-ray strip to trap the card which fits easily into the card slot. While this may not be the most sophisticated trap, it is one of many to look out for warn the SAPS.
In the first slide you see an individual who looks like he is using the ATM. What he really is doing is putting in a card skimmer into the machine to capture the next user card. The suspect then leaves.
Enter the unsuspecting victim, after the trap has been set. He inserts his card and begins his transaction. His card is swallowed and the customer is confused.
The suspect who placed the skimming device into the machine then returns pretending to help. What he is really doing is trying to gain the customers PIN, now that he has captured his card. The suspect then convinces the man he can recover the card, if he presses his PIN at the same time as the suspect presses cancel and enter.
After several attempts the customer is convinced his card has been swallowed and both he and the suspect leave the ATM. Satisfied the area is clear, the suspect returns to recover the confiscated card from his trap. He then withdraws R4 000 before leaving.
The trap is made up of x-ray film, which is the preferred material by thieves. Because of the black colour which is similar in appearance to the slot on the card reader
The trap is then inserted into the ATM slot. Care is taken not to insert the entire film into the slot, the ends are folded and contain glue strips for better adhesion to the inner and outer surface of the slots. Once the ends are firmly glued and fixed to the slot, it is almost impossible to detect by unsuspecting clients.
Slits are cut into both sides of the trap, This prevents your card being returned prior to completing your transaction.
As soon as the ATM customer has gone, and they have your PIN, the suspect can remove the glued trap, by grasping the folded tips, he simply pulls the trap out that has retained your card.
