Hi-tech cloning device found on ATM

GARDAÍ in Dungarvan have uncovered an ATM cash machine scam involving a sophisticated cloning device.

The discovery of the device comes almost 12 months after gardaí in Dungarvan foiled a massive ATM cash machine scam which resulted in prison terms for three men.

The latest scam is on a similar but smaller scale.

At least €1,500 has been taken from two deposit accounts in the local branch of Irish Permanent/TSB and gardaí are now warning all account holders to be cautious when making withdrawals from these machines.

Inspector Tom O’Grady said the perpetrators in latest scam had placed a hidden cloning device in an area of the ATM machine close to where customers insert their cards.

“It was a meticulously planned operation, but fortunately it was detected before even greater financial loss could be inflicted on unsuspecting customers,” said Inspector O’Grady.

The gardaí are now examining CCTV footage in the hope it may provide them with information that will lead to the arrest of those involved.

Inspector O’Grady said the fraudsters have probably moved out of Waterford after the cloning equipment was uncovered. “The probability however is that they will try their luck elsewhere, and that means everyone throughout the country must be ultra vigilant when completing an ATM transaction,” he said.

The inspector said simple precautions can help to foil these people. “Just make sure that no one is closer to you than they need to be when withdrawing cash, and before commencing the transaction also check as much as you can (that) there are no concealed cloning devices,’’ he added.

Last November a carefully planned garda surveillance in Dungarvan foiled a scam targeting deposit account holders. Three members of a four-member gang of illegal Romanian immigrants were convicted as a result and are serving two year prison sentences