2 caught trying to steal card details from ATMs

Two suspects have been arrested by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Abu Dhabi Police who were trying to hide electronic devices in ATMs for theft purpose.

The small electronic devices were meant to spy on customers and cardholders to steal their debit or credit card numbers by capturing the PIN numbers.

The two Eastern European tourists in their thirties employed this method to steal money.

However, police acted promptly on a tip-off and arrested the suspects.

Both individuals were found suspiciously checking ATM machines in the capital. The CID members stopped both men and carried out a search.

Identified as F and MA, police placed both men under surveillance and caught them in the act.

They were trying to install the device called 'skimmers' in an ATM, and four small skimmers were recovered from their possession.

Several other electronic devices were also found in their hotel room in Abu Dhabi.

The Head of the Criminal Investigation Department called on bank card holders and ATM users to be cautions and to require the SMS service from their banks to directly follow-up on their account transactions via their smart phones.

He also encouraged them to change their PIN numbers regularly; inform the bank when changing their phone number; and to report any suspicious withdrawals in a bid to strengthen precautionary measures.