In an age where technology has become a double-edged sword, it's crucial to stay vigilant about various scams.

One scam recently came to light after authorities caught two individuals who were stealing information through illegal means.

Two Romanian nationals were caught using thin metal devices called 'shimmers' in different ATMs across Sydney and Melbourne.

These shimmers are inserted into the card reading slots, waiting for unsuspecting victims.

As bank customers insert their cards, the shimmers read and clone the information from the cards' magnetic strips and chips.

Keep your card and banking information safe from compromised ATMs that may contain shimmers. Image Credit: Pexels/Aimee

In a joint investigation triggered by suspicious packages from the United Kingdom, the United States and China, The Australian Federal Police discovered that these packages contained the same shimmers used in the scam.

The investigation also revealed information about the Romanian nationals behind this scheme.

Several CCTV footage caught them installing the devices in various ATMs.

They subsequently use the stolen information to withdraw or transfer money from the victims' bank accounts.

The authorities' search of a Rhodes address in Sydney led to the seizure of $12,935 in cash, multiple shimming devices, false documents, electronic devices, card readers, and SIM cards.

The 34-year-old Romanian national pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including possession of devices used to obtain financial information, dealing with proceeds of crime, and dishonestly dealing with financial information.

He was sentenced to four years and two months in jail, with a non-parole period of two years and six months.

He also faced charges related to false documents and giving false information.

His accomplice, a 33-year-old woman, also pleaded guilty to similar charges and was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment.

However, the woman is eligible for parole in February 2025.

Following their sentences, both individuals should be deported to Romania.

This incident reminds us of the importance of keeping personal and financial information safe.

Scammers are constantly devising new methods to access our funds, and it's essential to know the telltale signs of scams.

For compromised ATMs, look for any unusual attachments on the machine's card slot or keypads.

Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN.

If an ATM seems suspicious, trust your instincts and find another machine.

Furthermore, regularly check bank statements and set up alerts for unusual activities to prevent unauthorised transactions.

If you fell victim to a scam, report the incident to your bank immediately for card replacements and other safety measures.

Key Takeaways

• Two Romanian nationals were jailed for using 'shimmers' to clone credit card information.
• The devices could intercept data from cards' magnetic strips and chips, leading to unauthorised withdrawals and transfers.
• Upon searching their address in Sydney, authorities confiscated shimming devices, false documents, electronic devices, card readers, and SIM cards.
• The two individuals pleaded guilty to a range of offences related to financial crime and will be deported after their sentences.

Have you ever encountered a suspicious ATM or experienced card fraud? Share your stories and safety tips with us in the comments below to help others stay protected.

 

[Kevin. A.]

My pension was stolen from our savings account. It was there at midnight and gone by morning to google play. I was straight down to my bank who had to investigate the matter and said that they couldn't stop the transaction. The police thought I had accidently pressed the wrong button as I have Parkinsons. Meanwhile all utilities couldn't be paid by ditect debit as I had to cancel the card. Eventually the Australian Financial Transactions Authority intervened and my money was refunded. The stress involved was tremendous. I was fortunate to have savings in another account to pay essential bills. I now pay as many bills with cash as I can. I am very wary of using any convenient cards for transactions. If possible I withdraw cash from inside a bank and don't shop online.

My wife and I do not use our main account for any online transactions, we use an account which has only enough money in it to keep the account open. When we make an online transaction the funds to cover the transaction are then transferred to this account. This way if the account is compromised then the scammers will only get their hands on a very minimal amount of money. Our accounts have been scammed in the past. However, the culprits were caught, and our funds were refunded. I think segregating your funds when making online transactions and using a single account with minimal funds will at the very least help keep your main account safe and secure.

 

[deni67]

Can I ask how long ago he was in jail ?

My brother has been in many jails including Long Bay, Long Bay was the hardest but others were not that Bad.

My father is serving 11 years out in 8 , in Maitland jail ,he is out next year and told his son my half brother it was like a holiday.
He is in for raping and paedophilia for his daughter ,my half sister from when she was 8 until she was 14. I WISHED HE WAS SERVING IT HARD. He turns 82 this year .

He was sentenced when he was 74 and we were hoping he would die in prison, he had/ has no remorse.

I wished he was put in the prison your son was in

Oh Suzanne, what a terrible family history you have, your own father, it beggers belief!
Wouldn't your father, and I use that term loosely, be in the protective section, main stream prisoners don't take kindly to that kind of scum, they have a code and I respect them for that.
If that is the case he's around like minded people that share his sick interests so it would be like a holiday for him with those "types" of sickos.
Fingers crossed that he doesn't make it until his release date, whatever happened to hard labour!
I see a lot of protests on tv and if they are protesting about how our indigenous people are treated all you see if a sea of white with half a dozen or so Aboriginals in the crowds, these are the people that change the laws including hard time for prisioners, they should be locked up themselves!!
That is only my opinion of course so nobody jump on me for my thoughts.
Oh and my son was sentenced to 2 1/2 years and got out in 18 months..

 

[deni67]

I experienced card fraud on a smaller scale, someone, who I presumed lived in England was buying generic viagra with my card, they spent about $80 but after I contacted the bank the person told me they had tried to withdraw $300 but I didn't have the funds.
The bank reimbursed me and so did a couple of the companies that I contacted about the fraudulent activity, so I lucked out twice in that case..
But I had to laugh, viagra, seriously

 

[Suzanne rose]

Oh Suzanne, what a terrible family history you have, your own father, it beggers belief!
Wouldn't your father, and I use that term loosely, be in the protective section, main stream prisoners don't take kindly to that kind of scum, they have a code and I respect them for that.
If that is the case he's around like minded people that share his sick interests so it would be like a holiday for him with those "types" of sickos.
Fingers crossed that he doesn't make it until his release date, whatever happened to hard labour!
I see a lot of protests on tv and if they are protesting about how our indigenous people are treated all you see if a sea of white with half a dozen or so Aboriginals in the crowds, these are the people that change the laws including hard time for prisioners, they should be locked up themselves!!
That is only my opinion of course so nobody jump on me for my thoughts.
Oh and my son was sentenced to 2 1/2 years and got out in 18 months..

I was raised from birth by my grandparents. But unfortunately my brother who is 4 years younger lived sometimes with my mother other times with our sperm donor. I found out recently he was sexually abused when he was 10 by a friend of our so called fathers.

I believe paedophiles stick together.

I brother did jail time for drugs and armed robbery . I know we have to take account for our own actions but I believe what my brother went through was because of both our parents .

My brother has stayed out of trouble for 20 years, been of drugs for 10 and is living with our mother as a full-time carer. My brother is 58. Our mother is 75. She was 13 when she got pregnant with me and sperm donor was 18. The judge at his trial said our mother was actually his first victim.

My brother looks after mum amazingly especially after how he was treated by both parents. Mum was too caught up with new husband and new children .
Mum had 4 kids to our father . Two girls younger than us and sadly both heroin addicts . They are now 54 and 56 and still addicts .