Two Bulgarian nationals were denied bail at Middelburg Magistrate Court after being nabbed for fraud.
This follows after the Bank Card Fraud Task Team of the South Africa Police Service (SAPS) assisted by Bank Investigators received information about two suspects who wanted to place hi-tech skimming devices at Automatic Teller Machine (ATM’s) in Highveld Mall and Middelburg Mall on February 21.
The two suspects aged 37 and 51 were tracked down and card cloning devices were found in their possession.
They made their first appearance on February 23 at the Middelburg Magistrate Court where the case was reprimanded to February 29 for formal bail application, in their following court date bail was denied and the suspects remained in custody where the case was postponed to May 13.
These men are connected to eight other similar cases in Nelspruit, which were committed from December 2015 to February.
The 37-year old suspect that was arrested for fraud.
The 51-year-old man that faces charges of fraud.
The Banking Association South Africa Annual Review 2014 defines card skimming or card cloning as an act that uses a card skimming device to fraudulently copy bank customer details stored on the magnetic strip (brown/black strip at the back) on a debit or credit card.
The magazine further states that whenever you present your card for payment you run the risk of being skimmed. However, the majority of skimming incidents in South Africa are recorded around ATMs.
One of the Hi Tech devices used for card skimming at ATM’s. (Photo: SABRIC)
“The customer and card information stolen with skimming devices is often used to manufacture duplicate cards which criminals use to make fraudulent transactions on a victim’s account”
There are various means of card cloning which include ATM’s and skimming at retail merchant point of sales.
ATM safety tips include to never allow anyone to assist you at the teller machine, ensure that you hide your pin when keying it in, never use a machine that looks tampered with or damaged and if possible, use an ATM that is monitored by a CCTV camera. When shopping ensure that your card never leaves your sight and monitor your bank statements for any unusual transactions.
One of the Hi-tech card skimming devices used by criminals to duplicate consumers personal details. (Photo: SABRIC)
Mr Dumezulu Shiburi, Corporate Communications Manager of First National Bank (FNB) said that the case is a police matter and therefore cannot comment.
“The bank is not in a position to discuss measures that are put in place to protect customers,” said Shiburi.
Spokesperson of Witbank Police Captain Eddie Hall said they receive card cloning cases almost every week.
“It is on the increase, the community is encouraged to pro actively act against card cloning and the financial impact there off,” said Capt Hall.
General Manager of Highveld Mall, Sandra Van der Walt said the mall has CCTV and security guards which they use for surveillance.
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