ATM Machine
10 June 2012. The Straits Times reported that Loke Siew Fei, 27, and Hng Gaik Chin, 39 were arrested on 12 January 2012 and pleaded guilty to possessing ATM card skimming devices and using them on two automated teller machines.
They were recruited by the syndicate last December. A Malaysian called Chin Yew Pong, who is still at large is believed to be the key player of the syndicate.
Two eastern European men are believed to have taught Loke and Hng how to use the card skimming devices. They arrived in Singapore on Jan 9 and, two days later, installed a skimmer at a DBS ATM machine in Bugis Village.
Within two hours, they collected data from 100 customer accounts from more than 200 transactions by users of the ATM machines. They used a pinhole camera to capture the PIN numbers, reported The Straits Times.
However, according to local news reports, there was no actual monetary loss to customers.
The Straits Times reported that on 12 January 2012, Hng tested the device at a UOB ATM in Sims Avenue with Loke’s credit card but were nabbed soon after.
Banks now send SMS alerts for ATM withdrawals to customers who have requested overseas use as well as for all ATM withdrawals above a certain limit.
