PHUKET: A surge in ATM skimmer scammers has forced banks on Phuket to more closely control the use of cards with the latest rip-off reaping 700,00 baht in bank fees for two Chinese fraudsters.
Tang Yongie, 39, and He Haibi, 24, were arrested yesterday along with Tem Bampenken, 23, at the BingBoom Shop in Vichit, south of Phuket City.
Police were tipped off by the Kasikorn Bank where officials noted an excessively high number of transactions taking place at the souvenir shop.
According to officers from Phuket City Police Station, the three men used a sales credit card reader to steal card owners' information and make repeated purchases that earned them the 700,000 baht in bank fees.
A total of 150,000 baht had been collected in cash before police raided the shop and arrested the men. All three were presented to the media in Phuket City today.
The scam was perpetrated between December 26-30, police said, with the Thai man promised five percent for his part in the frauds.
Other banks are believed to also be investigating allegations of scams, leading to tighter controls on use of some cards and temporary difficulties in replacing cards.
Tang Yongie, 39, and He Haibi, 24, were arrested yesterday along with Tem Bampenken, 23, at the BingBoom Shop in Vichit, south of Phuket City.
Police were tipped off by the Kasikorn Bank where officials noted an excessively high number of transactions taking place at the souvenir shop.
According to officers from Phuket City Police Station, the three men used a sales credit card reader to steal card owners' information and make repeated purchases that earned them the 700,000 baht in bank fees.
A total of 150,000 baht had been collected in cash before police raided the shop and arrested the men. All three were presented to the media in Phuket City today.
The scam was perpetrated between December 26-30, police said, with the Thai man promised five percent for his part in the frauds.
Other banks are believed to also be investigating allegations of scams, leading to tighter controls on use of some cards and temporary difficulties in replacing cards.
I am sure I am not alone, but I really hate these low lives who ruin so many people by stealing their hard earned cash. I hope they throw the book at them.
Posted by Logic on January 1, 2015 03:16