‘Skilled developers’ using USB drives to steal cash from ATMs

Thieves have developed USB drives which can infect ATMs with malware allowing them to withdraw bundles of cash within a matter of minutes.

The criminals cut out a piece from the frame of the machine, exposing a USB port. They then insert the USB drive containing the software and covered up the hole.

The USB allows the user to type in a 12-digit code which would then bring up a new screen on the machine telling them how many of each denominations of notes was available in that particular ATM. It would then offer “withdrawal” options for each. That meant the thieves could then target the biggest denominations, taking the most money in the smallest amount of time. Until the robberies were noticed, the criminals could keep coming back to the machine and withdraw money.