Gang scanning Dubai ATMs for card data busted

Dubai Police have arrested three members of a five-member international gang specialising in stealing credit card data and then, using that information to withdraw money from bank accounts.

The arrests were made during the firing of the Ramadan cannon in the last week of Ramadan and hence, the operation was called ‘Ramadan Cannon’.

Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazinah, Commander- in-Chief of Dubai Police, said the police found 60 forged credit cards with the accused who were all of Eastern European nationality.

The gang used sophisticated equipment to implant a scanning and reading device on ATM machines.

They would then copy the data of cards used and create a ‘fake’ credit or debit card, using the actual data.

“They also communicated with an associate in a European country to transfer information,” Major General Al Mazinah said.

Two members of the gang are on the run in Europe. Dubai Police is coordinating with the authorities in those countries to nab them.

Major General Al Mazinah said the Dubai Police arrested them red-handed while they were inside one of the ATM kiosks in Dubai.

He said, “One person went into the AM, while another kept watched outside and the third waited in a running car for a quick getaway.

Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief General for the Criminal Investigation Department said a police team of 24 were involved in the operation.

He added that the gang members arrested are wanted in a number of European countries and in North America for similar crimes.

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