Abu Dhabi: A two-man gang attempting to place surveillance equipment inside ATMs to spy on customers has been apprehended, the Abu Dhabi Police announced on Wednesday.
The pair reportedly used electronic devices to collect PIN numbers and other information belonging to bank users, in order to be able to access clients’ accounts and steal their money.
Both aged in their 30s, the East European tourists were caught red-handed carrying four of the small devices, in addition to other equipment found at their Abu Dhabi hotel residence.
Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Borshid, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Ministry of Interior, said that a police team noticed the two men suspiciously wandering around near various ATMs. Upon being tracked and identified, the pair was immediately searched and caught with gadgets that trace bank card information.
Therefore, the official urged bank clients to always be wary when using these machines, and to always ensure they use the bank’s SMS services to keep track of their accounts. Individuals are also advised to change their PIN numbers occasionally and to inform their banks when any suspicious activity occurs on their accounts.
Bank officials were unavailable for comments.
Previous attempts
This is not the first incident of bank users being targeted. In fact, just this year, police arrested three Asian men suspected of being involved in three cases of theft in a period of 15 days. The men would reportedly pour oil on clients’ tyres before claiming that there was a problem with the vehicle. When the victims went to check on the problem, the perpetrators allegedly stole the cash and other important documents left on the passenger seat.
Gulf News also reported the problem in 2013, when a number of thefts took place after bank clients who had finished withdrawing cash turned around to check for a false flaw in their vehicles that was pointed out by scammers.
Officials therefore advised never keeping cash and other valuables in plain sight as robbers can steal these even if it means breaking into the car.
