ATM Skimming / Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise

Police in Canada arrested 7 suspects and identified 12 people of interest relating to a large  ATM skimming operation. More than 1,500 cards compromised, and a more than $360,000 in losses have been reported. ATM skimming in Singapore has prompted banks to accelerate migration to EMV Chip and PIN cards. In Uganda, two Bulgarian suspects were arrested for ATM skimming. A joint police operation in South Africa supported by the US Secret Service resulted in the arrest of a suspect linked to ATM skimming. In the US, a leader of a Bulgarian organized crime gang involved in ATM skimming was sentenced to 41 months prison. Police in India asked mobile phone providers to send SMS alerts to their customers warning them to be careful at ATMs following ATM skimming incidents. A supplier of ATM skimming equipment in Ireland was sentenced to 5 years prison. Police in Thailand arrested two Bulgarian nationals and seized equipment including ATM skimming devices.

Card Trapping / Cash Trapping / Card Swapping / Leaving Transaction Live

Three youths were arrested in India suspected of involvement in leaving transaction live fraud. The modus operandi used stuck key fraud and shoulder surfing. Europe continued to experience card trapping and cash trapping in February. Police in the UK have urged consumers to be alert and report anything unusual to the ATM owner.

Transaction Reversal Fraud / Cheque Fraud / Denomination Fraud / Funds Transfer

Ore-ore (it's me) funds transfer fraud was reported in Japan during February. Transaction reversal fraud continued in the UK during February.

Ram Raid Attacks / Theft of ATM / Smash-and-Grab

Police in India criticised a bank that had an ATM stolen for the incorrect placement of CCTV cameras and not appointing night guards. In Australia, in one incident, one ATM was breached and cash stolen while a second was dragged away by a vehicle. In another incident in Australia, the perpetrators went to the trouble of cutting off the electrical power to the building housing the ATM. They then attempted to pull the ATM from the building using a chain attached to their vehicle. The chain broke and the theft of the ATM failed. In Malaysia, a cable was used but failed to be strong enough to pull out an ATM. The suspects were reported as being Colombian. In the UK, a gang were sentenced to 20 years prison for stealing ATMs throughout the country. Also in the UK, 12 suspects were arrested in February believed to be plotting the theft of ATMs. DNA helped police in the US identify a suspect who had caused significant damage while ram raiding a retail store and stealing an ATM. In an incident in New Zealand, a fuel station employee was held at gun point while an ATM was dislodged and stolen.

Safe Cutting / Safe Breaking / Theft from ATM

Amongst the more unusual consequences of theft from ATMs, a house was raided by police in the US and equipment including personal computers seized. The householder only realized that her brother had given her address as his after reading the search warrant. A suspect in the US faces additional charges including using a grinder in a theft from an ATM. In another US incident, a sledgehammer failed to breach the security of an ATM. A frontal attack, targeting the cash reject bin was reported in India in February. In a UK incident, a £25,000 reward has been offered following the theft from an ATM. A jemmy bar was used in a theft from an ATM in New Zealand.

Explosive Attacks

It is estimated that in 2011 there were over 400 ATM bombings in South Africa. ATM bombings continued in South Africa during February. Arrests and seizures included recovery of cap fuses and power gel (explosives) following a vehicle stop and search.

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The above digest is provided by DFR Risk Management, who provide consultancy services advising ATM and self-service terminal deployers and manufacturers, as well as law-enforcement agencies, on how to manage ATM and self-service terminal fraud and security threats.