Three Foreigners Arrested Over A T M Fraud In Phuket

[allalong]

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

Nothing!if your card is skimmed and its a thaibank you lose any money stolen

Sent from my GT-S7500L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[NamKangMan]

Have fun NKM, I'm not going further in another pointless discussion with you, as usual your twisting and turning everything that has been said. You've thrown your mud at the wall again, it doesn't stick.

I've not heard of that software. :) :)

[Jimi007]

@ stevenl

It would be very easy to implement. Similar software is already in use for internet banking.

There are no "roaming charges" to receive an SMS. Second time I have mentioned that.

Australia has one of the highest mobile phone ownership statistics in the world, per capita, for a country of only 22 million people. See below link. (dated 2007 - I am sure the stats are higher now)

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_tel_mob_cel_percap-telephones-mobile-cellular-per-capita

Also, the phone only needs to receive an SMS. It can be any cheap basic phone, or an old phone. It doesn't have to be an expensive smart phone.

"A losing proposition" is what the banks are doing now - and that is, NOTHING.

My US phone will not receive an SMS from the US or anywhere else here in Thailand. My US carrier uses CDMA phones. It use to work, but no more. So much for that "solution."

Of course, you could also just give your US bank your Thai number.

Pft! They won't call or SMS an international number! Nice thought, but it ain't gonna fly!

[MagicMax]

Yes I had around 42,348 nicked from my UK account from someone in Vietnam. Never been there and have no idea where the skim took place, but definitely in Phuket or Samui/Phangan. This is not the first time though, it happened to me at Heathrow!

[lowushatin]

It's really entertaining to see old mongers pretend they understand basic concepts like SIM cards when actually they don't.

[Guest]

i always cover the keypad with my other hand so cameras and onlookers can't see the pin i'm entering. this should be safe right? the skimmers only get the card number, not the pin i think?

Safe unless they are using fake keypads on top of the original one.

[lowushatin]

@ stevenl

It would be very easy to implement. Similar software is already in use for internet banking.

There are no "roaming charges" to receive an SMS. Second time I have mentioned that.

Australia has one of the highest mobile phone ownership statistics in the world, per capita, for a country of only 22 million people. See below link. (dated 2007 - I am sure the stats are higher now)

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/med_tel_mob_cel_percap-telephones-mobile-cellular-per-capita

Also, the phone only needs to receive an SMS. It can be any cheap basic phone, or an old phone. It doesn't have to be an expensive smart phone.

"A losing proposition" is what the banks are doing now - and that is, NOTHING.

My US phone will not receive an SMS from the US or anywhere else here in Thailand. My US carrier uses CDMA phones. It use to work, but no more. So much for that "solution."

Of course, you could also just give your US bank your Thai number.

Pft! They won't call or SMS an international number! Nice thought, but it ain't gonna fly!

It has absolutely nothing to do with the system your phone is using, and not even if you are abroad or not. As someone said it before me, delivery takes time sometimes, it is not very reliable. For internet banking, it's ok, but for ATMs not very much. I just don't see why you would have to make a fool of yourself saying that they would not text or call you abroad... Google does that all the time, and so does my bank.

if you don't understand something, just stay out of it. being old does not in itself make you smarter these days.

Edited April 15, 2013 by lowushatin

[thhMan]

Why blame the banks....???

Why would some idiot want to let their ATM cards out of their sight???

Is it so hard to check an ATM and realize it has a strange box where the card is inserted...

Next thing, banks will be responsible for getting you drunk and handing too much cash to your BG, which you had forgotten about....

Sheeesh... take some responsibility !!!!

[Guest]

Why blame the banks....???

Why would some idiot want to let their ATM cards out of their sight???

Is it so hard to check an ATM and realize it has a strange box where the card is inserted...

Yes it is. ATM's doesn't all have standard look, there are very many variations.

The skimmers and keypads are pretty sophisticated devices. Do a google search. I would not be so sure that I could see the difference between real ATM front and one which have skimmer installed on top of it.

[Jimi007]

My US phone will not receive an SMS from the US or anywhere else here in Thailand. My US carrier uses CDMA phones. It use to work, but no more. So much for that "solution."

Of course, you could also just give your US bank your Thai number.

Pft! They won't call or SMS an international number! Nice thought, but it ain't gonna fly!

It has absolutely nothing to do with the system your phone is using, and not even if you are abroad or not. As someone said it before me, delivery takes time sometimes, it is not very reliable. For internet banking, it's ok, but for ATMs not very much. I just don't see why you would have to make a fool of yourself saying that they would not text or call you abroad... Google does that all the time, and so does my bank.

if you don't understand something, just stay out of it. being old does not in itself make you smarter these days.

I have lived here for over 8 years. My US nor my banks have ever called me once! I use to, as I said receive an SMS to my Verizon phone from B of A to transfer money online. When it stopped working I called them. They said they their phones do not work in Thailand, period! There is no longer any CDMA in Thailand by the way. CAT used CDMA for internet, but it has been phased out! Of course you must be much smarter and more informed than me about my own business... I see now why you have all of twelve posts. You have absolutely nothing of importance to add to any discussion!

Edited April 15, 2013 by Jimi007

[swerving]

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

I have always wondered WHY the banks can't have an OTP (one time password) sent via SMS for every ATM transaction, just like they do for internet banking transactions.

The "skimmer" would also have to steal your phone - highly unlikely.

Surely this would be easy to implement and would make skimming a thing of the past, virtually overnight.

I use SCB and if there is any withdrawl from my account over 2,000thb i receive an automatic message from the Bank on my phone via sms. Usually before i have even put the money in my wallet.

Advice for any one interested. I have one main account with NO ATM. When i am going out shopping etc i transfer 5,000thb into my secondary account via IB, go to the ATM and draw 2-3000thb. It means that at any time i have a maximum of 5,000thb in my account, usually for only about 1 hour.

I also pay CASH for everything.

[thhMan]

You could always open up a bank account in Thailand and use a passbook..

[webfact]

Phuket Police bust ATM card fraud gang
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- Tourist Police have arrested two French nationals and a Tunisian man for operating an ATM card fraud scam in Phuket.

The foreigners – named by police as French nationals Mahamond Mhoussin, 22, and Zaidi Ganzouai, 29, and Tunisian national Ramzi Adjemi, 31 – were presented to the press at the Phuket Tourist Police headquarters in Phuket Town this morning.

“Tourist Police yesterday received a tip-off of an ATM scam gang operating in Phuket. We were able to apprehend the suspects and found them in possession of 27 items related to ATM card fraud,” Col Yotsavee said.

Among the items seized in making the arrests were a laptop computer with an ATM data card reader, 70 fake electronic cards coded with account information for withdrawing money, 7.5 grams of cannabis and about 6,000 euros in cash and about 134,000 in baht.

“All three suspects were arrested at a house in Kathu at about 3pm,” Col Yotsavee said.

Mr Mhoussin and Mr Ganzouai were charged with illegally staying in the country, falsifying electronic cards, possession of equipment for falsifying data on electronic cards, and using the fake electronic cards.

Mr Adjemi was charged with all of the above, and with possession of an illegal drug.

“The gang withdrew cash from ATMs in many areas across Phuket so they could go shopping and they changed the money they stole into euros,” Col Yotsavee explained.

The three men were to be detained at Thung Thong Police Station for further questioning, he added.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Phuket-Police-bust-ATM-card-fraud-gang-20786.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-04-15

[jacko45k]

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

I have always wondered WHY the banks can't have an OTP (one time password) sent via SMS for every ATM transaction, just like they do for internet banking transactions.

The "skimmer" would also have to steal your phone - highly unlikely.

Surely this would be easy to implement and would make skimming a thing of the past, virtually overnight.

Very inconvenient, and who is going to pay for the roaming charges?

Quite a few banks have IMO much better solutions for internetbanking than the SMS passwords by the way.

Well it would work for those who have mobile phones on roaming. But personally I have lost a few SMS messages before and don't want to be stuck in-front of an ATM machine with my card stuck inside wondering what to do.

It would be good if we were told what to look out for with regard to skimming, how do they achieve it? Was it a gadget stuck on the front of the ATM or what.

[jacko45k]

It's really entertaining to see old mongers pretend they understand basic concepts like SIM cards when actually they don't.

Some of us do grasp some aspects of a SIM card, and an ATM card. The SIM cards just vanish into the ATM machines though.

[jacko45k]

if you don't understand something, just stay out of it. being old does not in itself make you smarter these days.

It doesn't necessarily make us dumber either!

[youngXpat]

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

I have always wondered WHY the banks can't have an OTP (one time password) sent via SMS for every ATM transaction, just like they do for internet banking transactions.

The "skimmer" would also have to steal your phone - highly unlikely.

Surely this would be easy to implement and would make skimming a thing of the past, virtually overnight.

I use SCB and if there is any withdrawl from my account over 2,000thb i receive an automatic message from the Bank on my phone via sms. Usually before i have even put the money in my wallet.

Advice for any one interested. I have one main account with NO ATM. When i am going out shopping etc i transfer 5,000thb into my secondary account via IB, go to the ATM and draw 2-3000thb. It means that at any time i have a maximum of 5,000thb in my account, usually for only about 1 hour.

I also pay CASH for everything.

Yes Ayutthaya Bank also have something like this service. If money is transferred to my account, I get a text.

[youngXpat]

You could always open up a bank account in Thailand and use a passbook..

Oh yes, the passbook. How they love the passbooks!!!

[TechnikaIII]

I was glad when i read the headline the media used the word foreigners! Just to leave things in the middle and dont let the public be overgudgemental about certain country's.

Then i saw the picture, THEN is saw the first sentence..

I don't give a damn, and they should be made to show their faces too. Every bit of information about them should be published, who they they are and where they come from. Everything.

[Jimi007]

Posted Today, 17:18

"It's really entertaining to see old mongers pretend they understand basic concepts like SIM cards when actually they don't."

if you don't understand something, just stay out of it. being old does not in itself make you smarter these days.

It doesn't necessarily make us dumber either!

Exactly! And knowing that CDMA phones don't use a SIM card, only GSM phones do, is just brilliant! Now who should have stayed out of it?

Edited April 15, 2013 by Jimi007

[Phillsb]

Hope they serve 99 years in prison each

[Andre0720]

Why do they say frenchmen, I do not see any french name there,,,

(I am not french)

Go ahead....be my guest....

[MobileContent]

Skimming is becoming more and more prevalent - what are the banks doing to ensure their ATM's are skim-free?

Also, the news report shows 3 people and lists 3 names - but then it switches to 4 and then back to 3...who edits these articles?

I have always wondered WHY the banks can't have an OTP (one time password) sent via SMS for every ATM transaction, just like they do for internet banking transactions.

The "skimmer" would also have to steal your phone - highly unlikely.

Surely this would be easy to implement and would make skimming a thing of the past, virtually overnight.

Good point but for an ATM transaction you don't really need a one time password via OTA. This would be for an online purchase which I am using via Verified by Visa or Master Card

[tragickingdom]

All Algerians, French passport or not. Amazing that they are entering the domain of the Romanian mafia.

[Card]

Phuket expat skimmed for B100,000Claire ConnellAli Goebel.PHUKET: -- Phuket expat Ali Goebel is issuing advice to other ATM users after B100,000 was skimmed from her bank account on Saturday while in Hua Hin – cover your hand when you’re entering your pincode.Mrs Goebel had B100,000 taken out of her Citibank account in 11 transactions on Saturday (April 13), with bank records showing the money was taken from an ATM in Vietnam.She was alerted via an email from the bank, which questioned the multiple transactions. A phone call stopped any further withdrawals, but by that time the skimmers had already taken a large amount of cash.“The withdrawals started at US$50, then up to US$85, then US$100, US$200 and then US$400. And finally it was stopped at B100,000. It is scary. It is lucky I caught it because that account had B200,000 in it and they could have got it all.”Mrs Goebel, who has lived in Phuket for six years, said a cash fraud investigation was already under way by Citibank.“I’m disputing the transactions, and I’ve sent some paperwork to them. It could take up to two months but I will get the money back.”When she called the bank and asked how it might have happened, Ms Goebel was told the skimmers attach some sort of scanner to the ATM, and set up a camera so they can video you entering your pin.She said that ATM users should use cover their hand when entering their pin on an ATM, to avoid being videoed if there was a camera set up.“The bank also said it is better to use bank ATM machines as they are safer. I use the ATMs at Family Marts and 7-Elevens.”Mrs Goebel said Citibank had been “excellent” to deal with, and she was thankful she would get the money returned.Skimming from ATMs has been a hot topic on the island for many years.Yesterday (April 14), two Frenchmen and a Tunisian were arrested for skimming.Evidence collected by the police included a laptop computer with card reader, 70 ATM and credit cards with passwords written on them, and 6,000 Euros and B134,000 in cash.Earlier this year, Australian Robert Millard made headlines when B90,000 was skimmed from his Krungsri bank account in April 2012, withdrawn in Pattaya while he was in Phuket.Mr Millard is still trying to get the money back, but so far has been unsuccessful.Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-expat-skimmed-for-b100-000-38665.php

-- Phuket News 2013-04-15

Strange. I'm with Citibank and there is a ATM cash withdrawal limit of 20,000 baht per day inside or outside Thailand.

[RogueLeader]

@ RogueLeader

I would like to know the stats for "delayed" SMS compared to SMS received instantly - it would be a small percentage, but you are correct, it does happen.

I offered a suggestion of a transaction of $100 or less would not trigger the OTP feature. So, if your SMS is delayed, $100 will feed you, or put gas in the tank etc etc and you can try again later.

It was only a suggestion. I haven't claimed to have perfecetd the idea.

I have OTP for my Kasikorn internet banking. If Kasikorn offered it to me for ATM use, I would gladly accept the service. Each to their own.

So, a person is standing at an ATM and has entered their PIN. They see a message on the screen saying "Please input authorisation code". The code doesn't arrive. What happens? What do you tell the customer to do? What if they cancel the transaction them try later with the same code? How do you handle it when the wrong code is used? How do you map auth codes to withdrawal attempts? What do I do if I lose my phone and lose access to my money?

Can you imagine what would happen if a spike in cash demand coincided with a spike in SMS usage, like, say, New Year's Eve or Songkhran? How would that impact local businesses, if no-one in Bangkok or Chiang Mai or Pattaya is able to withdraw money to spend?

Do you see why implementation is far more involved than just having an idea?

The idea is sound, but the SMS delivery mechanism just isn't sufficiently reliable. I know of several companies who issue their staff with a constantly-refreshing access code using a specialised key fob that updates automatically. That works because delivery is guaranteed and predictable. I think it would probably be too expensive for a bank with millions of customers, many of whom aren't particularly profitable.

[sydneyjed]

A recent article on Australian television highlighted how easy it is to steal someones information on their smart phone..An IT security expert sat down on the next table in a cafe with his laptop and within seconds of people using their smartphone have downloaded and sucked every bit of information stored in there..everything!Nothing it seems is sacred anymore!

[slipperylobster]

am I hearing this correctly? Suggesting I need carry my cellphone everytime I travel to a foreign country? That means a different sim card for each place. Also, it is just wrong to say everyone carries a phone. I don't. It is not convenient for me to have my wife calling me when I am doing OTHER things. If its an emergency, there are plenty of phones available. People only started showing their power with cellphones in the last 10 years. I was so happy not to hear ringing phones when I was away from work. Imagine trying to get money from an ATM to buy a load for the damn phone only for the ATM to say your phone number is unreachable. LOL. damn good laugh. Lets fix the problem, not make more problems with one more link in the chain. Long lines of people screwing with their phones at the ATM should be added to the list of inconveniences.

[witchhunter]

Problem, reaction, solution. Nothing is changed in the scam schemes. First, banks allow skimming of their credit card, second, they wait for a reaction of public, and at last they propose a solution - to implant a micro-chip into everybody for easy identification of a person. Well done, the NWO servants!

[Shot]

It has absolutely nothing to do with the system your phone is using, and not even if you are abroad or not. As someone said it before me, delivery takes time sometimes, it is not very reliable. For internet banking, it's ok, but for ATMs not very much. I just don't see why you would have to make a fool of yourself saying that they would not text or call you abroad... Google does that all the time, and so does my bank.

if you don't understand something, just stay out of it. being old does not in itself make you smarter these days.

Your mother must be very proud of you. I think I hear her calling you from upstairs for dinner.