Foreigners Allegedly Using Stolen Foreign Credit Cards to Buy Expensive Items in Phuket

[webfact]

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

Phuket-A group of foreigners are allegedly using other foreigners stolen credit cards to buy high priced products in Phuket.

 

The Patong Police told the Phuket Express that a group of foreigners are using other foreigners stolen credit cards to buy high priced products such as gold jewelery worth about 1,200,000 baht and new iPhones.

 

The scam involves the suspects showing fake passports to vendors which match the credit card info. The suspects always wear hats and a mask, stating the mask is for Covid protection if asked, hiding their face.

 

The suspects also usually buy the products just before the shops closing time when vendors are in a rush to close their venue and go home and less likely to follow every security process.

 

Full story: https://thephuketexpress.com/2023/02/13/foreigners-allegedly-using-stolen-foreign-credit-cards-to-buy-expensive-items-in-phuket/

 

-- © Copyright The Phuket Express 2023-02-14

 

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[steven100]

but wouldn't stolen credit cards be cancelled by the owners immediately?  and how exactly did they steal them?   in a bar or where?

[Emeraldisle]

The Russians' cards don't work anymore

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

but wouldn't stolen credit cards be cancelled by the owners immediately?  and how exactly did they steal them?   in a bar or where?

Exactly, you'd think if your credit cards went missing they'd report that to the bank immediately to stop and transactions.

[madmitch]

Is Thailand still in the 20th century when it comes to credit card use? (I've been back in the UK for a while, hence the non-rhetorical question).

 

I haven't used a signature to pay by card in years and I have never shown a passport to use a card. Everywhere requires a PIN.

 

Along with the previous comments regarding non-cancellation this does seem a bit odd for 2023.

 

 

[sammieuk1]

A 1.2 mill card I want "one" all sounds mysteriously fishy to me ???? 

[jaywalker]

3 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Is Thailand still in the 20th century when it comes to credit card use? (I've been back in the UK for a while, hence the non-rhetorical question).

 

I haven't used a signature to pay by card in years and I have never shown a passport to use a card. Everywhere requires a PIN.

 

Along with the previous comments regarding non-cancellation this does seem a bit odd for 2023.

 

 

The banks still operate on Windows 3.1

 

"No hab budget" for upgrade.

 

 

[Hakuna Matata]

Do they come again from Romania?

[Hakuna Matata]

3 hours ago, steven100 said:

but wouldn't stolen credit cards be cancelled by the owners immediately?  and how exactly did they steal them?   in a bar or where?

The old trick. The legitimate cards are being skimmed in Europe and US, the extracted magnetic stripe data is copied to a new card. You don't need a PIN verification if you show your ID at the point of sale.

[BananaStrong]

On the dark web, you can buy like 100000 zillion identities, so I'm sure this has been going on in countries like Thailand for decades and decades and will continue going until.........

 

they actually use genuine Windows software.   

 

OK, you lost 300,000....let me check your computer.   Dude, you are using a hacked version of Windows?    Really?  Really?   lol

[baz69er]

Cards can be frozen using the credit card or banks app, so im surprised too.....

[phetphet]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

but wouldn't stolen credit cards be cancelled by the owners immediately?  and how exactly did they steal them?   in a bar or where?

They might be using cloned cards.

[HighPriority]

I'm just glad they're not buying cheap stuff, the last thing we want is them keeping the cheap charlie thing going !

[bradiston]

"Blame the image of the criminal Asian man doing the job of swiping credit cards usually holds a passport American nationality - wears a white cap

shoulder bag black

- wearing black sneakers"

 

Let the jury decide.

 

 

[stevenl]

1 hour ago, Hakuna Matata said:

The old trick. The legitimate cards are being skimmed in Europe and US, the extracted magnetic stripe data is copied to a new card. You don't need a PIN verification if you show your ID at the point of sale.

If required by the issuing bank, my card machine requires a pin code. Having a passport on hand doesn't help, pin is required.

[mran66]

2 hours ago, jaywalker said:

The banks still operate on Windows 3.1

 

"No hab budget" for upgrade.

 

 

... Pirate copy of it, no hab money to buy authentic... 

 

[StayinThailand2much]

5 hours ago, steven100 said:

but wouldn't stolen credit cards be cancelled by the owners immediately?  and how exactly did they steal them?   in a bar or where?

And how do they know the PIN?

[bunnydrops]

16 minutes ago, StayinThailand2much said:

And how do they know the PIN?

I have never been asked for a pin number when using my card in a store. Would you tell someone your pin number? It is bad enough that the security code is printed on the card.

[Gottfrid]

Like easy to fix. Just demand ID card and pin for pay with credit cards. If not enough, start work together with the Visa, Mastercard and Amex to check ID number against account holder in a joint database.

[swm59nj]

 Maybe the people didn’t catch it instantly.  And the story says nothing about  each individuals  stolen card information being used for extended periods of time.. 
The victims might have had their cards in their possession.  The information could have been stolen by a skimming device.  Or a card used in a place of business where an employee takes the card away to process.  Then makes a copy of the card.  Among many other ways. 
Stolen card information is also sold on the dark web. 
 

[wwest5829]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Exactly, you'd think if your credit cards went missing they'd report that to the bank immediately to stop and transactions.

My US cards inform me immediately when any charges are made. I would know if any false charge is made.

[Captain Monday]

3 minutes ago, wwest5829 said:

My US cards inform me immediately when any charges are made. I would know if any false charge is made.

US credit cards don't use PIN codes except for cash advances. Debit cards yes. In Asia they sometimes make you sign looks like in Corea and Japan all the cars have pins. Doesn't make sense bu I have read the US banks are resisting making pins mandatory? IDK

 

So I'm on a trip and yesterday I noticed a debit charge from the US for about $20 dollars I did not recognize. I  immediately get a SMS for each.

 

Within  minutes I locked my card on the APP and had Chuck on the phone.

 

Turns out I freaked it looks like my dry cleaning service they have that card on file and tend to run it at at weird intervals

[AlQaholic]

3 hours ago, Hakuna Matata said:

The old trick. The legitimate cards are being skimmed in Europe and US, the extracted magnetic stripe data is copied to a new card. You don't need a PIN verification if you show your ID at the point of sale.

What I was thinking too. The owner of the card is unaware that the card details have been skimmed. You can skim card details by just standing next to the person I think nowadays. There are sites on the Tor that sell stolen credit cards en masse.

[brianthainess]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Phuket-A group of foreigners are allegedly using other foreigners

A GROUP and yet it seems it's only one Asian looking man, unless they all share the same, hat, bag and shoes.  again More Puke-et Express bad reporting.

[Mavideol]

just another deflection of the "it's not us it's them" .... until now stolen gold necklaces, cash, rolex, etc. were attributed to Thais, they had to stop the blaming of their own thus the best escape goats???? the foreigners 555

[Handyman1]

The cards will be forged copies(forged duplicate cards) so owners wont know to cancel card till after they have been used.

[Neeranam]

4 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

A 1.2 mill card I want "one" all sounds mysteriously fishy to me ???? 

I bought that much gold with a credit card. They did charge 3%.

[bradiston]

1 hour ago, bunnydrops said:

I have never been asked for a pin number when using my card in a store. Would you tell someone your pin number? It is bad enough that the security code is printed on the card.

Quite so. I think it's quite legitimate to scratch it out, and keep a record of it elsewhere.

[OneMoreFarang]

4 hours ago, madmitch said:

Is Thailand still in the 20th century when it comes to credit card use? (I've been back in the UK for a while, hence the non-rhetorical question).

 

I haven't used a signature to pay by card in years and I have never shown a passport to use a card. Everywhere requires a PIN.

 

Along with the previous comments regarding non-cancellation this does seem a bit odd for 2023.

 

 

Credit cards require a signature, or under a certain amount no signature or anything else.

Debit cards require a PIN and no signature.

I don't know about the rules above certain amounts, I am sure there are extra rules. 

[bradiston]

2 hours ago, mran66 said:

... Pirate copy of it, no hab money to buy authentic... 

 

Are you seriously saying this is a screen shot of an ATM screen? With the Start button and all the icons showing? I think it's been doctored.