Atm Scam

[stevenl]

Was just finished withdrawing some money from an ATM, when a guy went to the ATM and called me over. I tried to make a picture of his buddy, but he quickly moved away. The original guy also left quickly when I threatened to photo him. dam_n, had my old phone with me, and with the photo option I'm not familiar, so photo's not ok. Hope on the ATM VDO they have him ok.

The guy was driving a Click, numberplate 717, looked bit Southern European, maybe French?

[stevenl]

BTW, was at the Kasikorn ATM near Kata Palm Resort, Kasikorn exchange office there called manager and police. I hope those 2 guys think the photo's came out ok.

Edited February 22, 2012 by stevenl

[LivinginKata]

Thanks for that steven. I'll look out for that 717. I look evry day I use the Karon branch, but never saw my con man again.

[stevenl]

Knowing I was being scammed I was too quick with my reactions, if I had been more relaxed I could have easily have them both on photo, dam_n.

Edited February 22, 2012 by stevenl

[Guest]

What did exactly happen and how that was a scam?

[stevenl]

Was the same thing starting as happened to LIK.

Edited February 22, 2012 by stevenl

[Guest]

Ok. I need to re-read the thread.

Anyway it's good to alert people and taking photos of the scammers or corrupted officials is often pretty powerful weapon.

[necronx99]

BTW, was at the Kasikorn ATM near Kata Palm Resort, Kasikorn exchange office there called manager and police. I hope those 2 guys think the photo's came out ok.

Why didn't you take the thousand baht?

[stevenl]

BTW, was at the Kasikorn ATM near Kata Palm Resort, Kasikorn exchange office there called manager and police. I hope those 2 guys think the photo's came out ok.

Why didn't you take the thousand baht?

See post #4.

[excalibur]

why did he call you over ? i dont understand how that was a scam

[stevenl]

why did he call you over ? i dont understand how that was a scam

They pretend there was something wrong with the withdrawel, e.g. that there is 1,000 baht too much/left behind, trying to get you to insert the card again. They do that for you, quickly copying the card and noting the PIN when you enter. There have been quite a few people scammed here lately, amongst others our own moderator, and I'm 100% sure these were the guys (presuming there is 1 gang).

I'm just cursing myself I was too quick in my reactions.

[LivinginKata]

If it every happens to me again I will gladly take the thousand baht and laugh in their face. no point in taking a photo as the police will do nothing and not allowed to post here.

[NamKangMan]

BTW, was at the Kasikorn ATM near Kata Palm Resort, Kasikorn exchange office there called manager and police. I hope those 2 guys think the photo's came out ok.

Why didn't you take the thousand baht?

I recently cancalled an ATM card from my home country, not because it was "compromised" but because I didn't need the account the card was attached to anymore. Instead of cutting the card up with scissors, I'm keeping it in my wallet. If scammers like these try this one on me I will produce the cancelled card from the cancelled account and take the 1000 baht. Ahhhh, life on Phuket is all about "the reverse scam."

Edited February 22, 2012 by NamKangMan

[NamKangMan]

Good to hear you were not ripped off. Can you describe them a little better? Was there anything unusual? Eg. tattoo, very fat, very tall, very short etc.

Shame the police were not more interested here. It would take nothing to enter "Honda Click partial plate 717" into a Thailand vehicle registration data base and look for 717's registered in Phuket Province. It gives and avenue of enquiry.

It may be an idea for members on TV, who are approached by skimmers, to just walk away, and when out of sight, observe the skimmers and call the police. I know this will be hard to remember when coming face to face with them but could lead to arrests being made.

[NamKangMan]

What did exactly happen and how that was a scam?

For those on TV who have never seen a "skimmer" there are some good photos of them and information on this link. It's a slide show, just click on the arrow to move to the next slide/photo/information. You will see they can be quite hard to spot. They are well camouflaged by blending in and appearing as they are part of the ATM and use modern technology to capture the data and PIN.

The Commonwealth Bank is an Australian Bank but, obviously, the principle is the same, worldwide.

http://www.slideshar...awareness-guide

I believe the skimmers operating on Phuket hold the card reader in their hand, instead of attaching it to the ATM. When you hand your card to them, because they have "seeded" you with 1000 baht and you think they are helping you, they pass it through their other hand, which is holding the skimmer, and then into the ATM. They have just read your data. Then, they either look as you enter you PIN, or, use the ATM after you, in which they "dust" the key pad to find which numbers you pressed.

Edited February 22, 2012 by NamKangMan

[thaiIand]

isnt it illegal to shame the owner of the motorcycle?

[Shot]

Nice work Steven, hope they get caught.

A little off topic. You mentioned they may have been French. Did they look anything like this?

[walker600]

Ahhhh, life on Phuket is all about "the reverse scam."

I like it!

[woodyleonhard]

Stevenl -

OK if I write this up for the Gazette?

I've been itching to do a follow-up to the ATM skimming article http://phuketgazette.net/archives/computers/2012/article12177.html

Any other suggestions, comments?

[stevenl]

Sure that would be ok.

Just don't mention the photos did not come out ok please, they may read it, and I like the idea they think In have their photos.

[woodyleonhard]

Sure that would be ok.

Just don't mention the photos did not come out ok please, they may read it, and I like the idea they think In have their photos.

You bet.

[TaoNow]

^Steven:

^{It's good you were wise to the scam, but I don't see how the photo would help much and is circumstantial evidence at best.}

^{The only way to get these guys is to set up a sting with the local police and have the thiefs go through the whole crime on film, and then nab them.}

^{Otherwise, photographing people you think are criminals could be hazardous to your health.}

^{Be well,}

^TN

[stevenl]

^Steven:

^{It's good you were wise to the scam, but I don't see how the photo would help much and is circumstantial evidence at best.}

^{The only way to get these guys is to set up a sting with the local police and have the thiefs go through the whole crime on film, and then nab them.}

^{Otherwise, photographing people you think are criminals could be hazardous to your health.}

^{Be well,}

^TN

Good photo's would make them recognisable, on the ATM VDO they are never recognisable. And they really don't like that idea.

[grumpyoldman]

Stevenl -

OK if I write this up for the Gazette?

I've been itching to do a follow-up to the ATM skimming article http://phuketgazette...ticle12177.html

Any other suggestions, comments?

Sure, post Shot's photo in the PG, it's hilarious !

[Jayroo]

isnt it illegal to shame the owner of the motorcycle?

Not when they're ATM scammers. Why do you care? being doing some "scamming" lately? haha..