2 Malaysians held over ATM scam

By The Nation

Published on May 14, 2010

Two Malaysian men have been arrested for stealing banking information in Bangkok and using it to produce fake ATM cards for their accomplices in Songkhla between February and April, Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol MajGeneral Panya Mamen said yesterday.

Their action victimised more than 100 people, causing damage amounting to Bt10 million. The suspects, Ko Fuk Chai, 35, and Lim See Chow, 34, were arrested at the border checkpoint at Songkhla's Sadao district on Wednesday.

In their possession, police found 81 ATM cards, three skimming devices, three sets of closedcircuit cameras, 72 SIM cards for mobile phones and materials used to produce fake cards. Several commercial banks filed complaints that the culprits had installed skimming devices on ATM machines, in order to steal data.

Initially, police found the two men installing skimming devices on five ATM machines in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district. Undercover officers followed them until they were led to three Malaysian men who made fake cards and withdrew money in Songkhla.

However, only two of the three were nabbed, and police found the evidence in a raid of their hotel room in Hat Yai.

-- The Nation 2010-05-14

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Just another example of the high quality of tourist that Thailand attracts.

there part of a well organized Malay chinese gang operating in S/E Asia specific to credit card fraud through ATM, counterfeiting, scamming, extortion, drugs and human trafficking.

they choose easy places and prey on the vulnerable: Hang these guys!

Give them the ratan as they would get in Malaysia.

Hope they're punished hard! Real scum...

A friend of mine was victimized by this kinda scheme. Wondered why her account got unknown debits? Unfortunately, the money had yet to be credited back to her account, as the bank said investigation would be conducted with regard to her complaint.

Hope this matter is related to it...

I guess one of the best remedies is to file a complaint formally.

Yeah, this is a regular thing, and the perps are always Malaysian Chinese.

I'd have thought anybody with a brain would realize how risky it is now that credit card transactions are electronic.

'Organized crime' in this part of the world makes good use of people too stupid to realize they are putting themselves in jeopardy. In Malaysia most of the people who work in the shops that sell pirated media are young lads with bleached hair and the personality of the 'a_sshole gang leader' (if you don't know what this is, just watch any police drama on Malaysian television). You got to admit, they make excellent fall guys, and the whole thing is set up so the stooges never meet anyone consequential to the operation.

Just another example of the high quality of tourist that Thailand attracts.

I wouldn't exactly class them as tourists, they are organized criminals.

Anyway, what would you know about anything going on in Thailand, with over 3,330 posts on an internet form since September, do you ever leave your room ?

Tie steel wire around their nuts until their balls rot off.

Just a friendly word of advise:

1) when using any ATM look at the card entry slot, it should be solidly attached to the machine and be of solid material, not something attached on.

2) when entering your number you must cover over the keyboard with your other hand or an object (the camera they use is tiny and usually well hidden).

3) Look out for suspicious characters hanging around the ATM

4) if in doubt move on to an alternative machine.

But, usually, there are lots of people like street vendors hanging around ATMs in busy areas. You just cannot avoid using those ATMs during a real need. I for one usually commit this blunder. Funny, I am calling it a blunder now since this news came out.

Just another example of the high quality of tourist that Thailand attracts.

These bastard should be bar from entering thailand for life.

Just becos they spoilt others malaysian names.

When they heard that u r from malaysia, especially those thais, they will look at u from head to toe.

All becos of these <deleted>....g criminals spoiling malaysian names.

Give them a hard one.....

They don't deserve to live. Death penalty would be appropriate here.

they are scum