By Supun Dias

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is investigating several ATM scams that have been reported across the island, after a number of  private banks lodged complaints

Millions of rupees have been withdrawn from ATMs after obtaining customer information using advanced electronic devices fixed on the ATM machines.

A Romanian couple was arrested in February for withdrawing Rs.14 million from private banks and also three men were arrested in April for withdrawing nearly Rs.12 million from ATM machines belonging to three private banks.

The Managers of the card centers of Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and Nations Trust Bank lodged separate complaints with the CID after detecting these frauds taking place at ATM machines and also at filling stations in Ja-Ela, Peliyagoda, Ratmalana and Colombo, which led to the arrest of three men in April.

The Commercial Bank incurred a loss of Rs.105,600, the Hatton National Bank (HNB) incurred a loss of Rs.3 million and the Nations Trust Bank (NTB) incurred a loss of Rs.8.79 million due to these scams.

The CID also arrested a suspect from Kalawanchikudi with six forge credit cards, a USB cable and a ‘sceamer’ machine in his possession.

The CID is further investigating into the frauds committed by the suspects and they are now being further questioned under detention orders. Police have found that the suspects are linked to an international racket that is widespread. (Daily Mirror online)