Cash Trapping / Transaction Reversal Fraud

Cash trapping in Europe continued to dominate ATM fraud reports through March. In some instances, the internal Cash Claw generated transaction reversals which have become the primary intention of some perpetrators rather than simply stealing consumers’ cash. External and Internal cash traps also continued to be detected in many regions but at a lower level than in Europe.

Card Trapping / Card Swapping

Card trapping, which had almost disappeared as a significant category of ATM fraud during the time ATM skimming emerged as the modus operandi of choice, is very much back as a key fraud category. The benefit to perpetrators within regions with large EMV chip card deployments, is that fraud spend can be perpetrated with the genuine card within the country that the card theft occurred. As card issuers are tending to favour geo blocking (restricting card usage abroad), card trapping is likely to continue to see significant growth in many markets. Card swapping occurred in many countries during March. India and various countries in the African continent experienced a considerable number of incidents.

Cheque Fraud / Fake Deposit / Leaving Transaction Live

A suspect in the US was arrested and charged with a number of offences, including cheque fraud and identity theft. The modus operandi included opening multiple accounts using a stolen identity, depositing a high value fraudulent cheque, transferring the funds across the multiple accounts, and then withdrawing the funds from various ATMs. In another US incident, a guilty plea to cheque fraud and subsequent withdrawals (in excess of $400k) could result in a prison sentence of up to 30 years. Leaving transaction live fraud using the stuck key technique was prevalent in India during March.

ATM Skimming / Skimming / EFTPOS Compromise

ATM skimming remained a popular and profitable crime globally during March. Countries where there appeared to be an increase in cases detected, included India, New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, and the US.

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

A failed theft of an ATM in Australia, never the less caused significant damage to the building. Tasmanian police recovered an ATM from a successful ram raid in Australia after the ATM fell from the vehicle removing it. In Ireland, a suspect was sentenced to 6 years prison following the theft of an ATM.  US thefts of ATMs included the use of forklift trucks, ropes tied to vehicles and manual removal. In the manual removal incident, a male suspect walked into a busy restaurant and simply picked up the (un anchored) ATM and dragged it outside to a car and drove off.

Explosive Attacks

The use of explosives, both explosive gas and solid explosives were reported in many countries. The UK, experienced its first known explosive gas attacks in March, including a highly dangerous incident at a petrol station. South Africa continued to face ATM bombing attacks using solid explosives.

Quick Search Strings:

Theft of ATMs > Failed Theft of ATMs >

Theft From ATMs > ATM Skimming >

Card Trapping > Leaving Transaction Live >

Cash Trapping >

Advertising Opportunities

If your company supplies products, services and solutions relevant to ATM fraud and security, and you would like to explore the various advertising and marketing opportunities with ATMsecurity.com, please use the 'contact us form' to request further details:

Contact Us >

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.