CID bust ATM/debit card scam racket; arrest two Chinese nationals and a Romanian

The Criminal Investigations Department has arrested two Chinese nationals and a Romanian national involved in an ATM  and debit card scam racket.

The foreign nationals were arrested for being involved in a racket in which a device was used to steal data from debit and ATM cards being inserted into ATM machines, whereby the extracted data would then be used to create fake cards. 

The CID were able to arrest the suspects following investigations that were carried out during the course of several weeks. 

The Chinese nationals were arrested on January 20 and 21 in Chatham Street, Fort and in Wellawatte. The CID had arrested the Romanian national in Panadura on February 3.

The CID also seized 200 fake cards, Rs 1 million in cash and two devices used to steal data from credit cards which were in the possession of the suspects.

The two Chinese nationals who were produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court were remanded till February 13. The Romanian national was ordered to be remanded until February 18 by the Panadura Magistrate's Court.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekera has requested the public to be vigilant and inform the Police of any suspicious individuals or activities taking place at ATM machines.