Latest model skimmer for card fraud seized in ICAC operation
2001-3-30
The ICAC on Wednesday (March 28) arrested two men who had allegedly used a match-box-sized skimmer to capture credit card data from customers at a karaoke lounge for a syndicate manufacturing and uttering counterfeit credit cards in return for bribes.
The skimmer, measured 1 3/4” x 1 1/2” x 1”, was believed to be the latest model and the smallest in size seized by the ICAC. It is capable of storing approximately 150 sets of credit card data.
The two arrestees, currently on ICAC bail, were respectively a waiter and a former employee of the Tsim Sha Tsui branch of the karaoke lounge.
ICAC investigation revealed that in February this year, a criminal syndicate approached the waiter and requested his assistance to capture bona fide credit card data while processing payment at the karaoke lounge. The syndicate offered to pay the waiter monetary rewards.
A former employee of the karaoke lounge later provided the waiter with the mini-sized skimmer.
It was alleged that between February 16 and February 19 this year, the waiter had compromised a total of six sets of customers' credit card data. He subsequently received $8,000 from the former employee as a reward.
The ICAC later recovered the skimmer at the former karaoke employee's premises.
Investigation revealed that the captured data were used to manufacture counterfeit credit cards, which were uttered in Hong Kong, causing $72,000 loss to the card issuing banks.
The ICAC's inquiry is continuing.
The skimmer, measured 1 3/4” x 1 1/2” x 1”, was believed to be the latest model and the smallest in size seized by the ICAC. It is capable of storing approximately 150 sets of credit card data.
The two arrestees, currently on ICAC bail, were respectively a waiter and a former employee of the Tsim Sha Tsui branch of the karaoke lounge.
ICAC investigation revealed that in February this year, a criminal syndicate approached the waiter and requested his assistance to capture bona fide credit card data while processing payment at the karaoke lounge. The syndicate offered to pay the waiter monetary rewards.
A former employee of the karaoke lounge later provided the waiter with the mini-sized skimmer.
It was alleged that between February 16 and February 19 this year, the waiter had compromised a total of six sets of customers' credit card data. He subsequently received $8,000 from the former employee as a reward.
The ICAC later recovered the skimmer at the former karaoke employee's premises.
Investigation revealed that the captured data were used to manufacture counterfeit credit cards, which were uttered in Hong Kong, causing $72,000 loss to the card issuing banks.
The ICAC's inquiry is continuing.