Brit, Aussie caught using skimmed cards in Phuket

Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: Two men, a Briton and an Australian, were arrested for involvement in a skimming gang last night (April 8). They were caught withdrawing B20,000 from a Siam Commercial Bank ATM machine on the Karon beachfront.

Phuket Immigration Police, tipped off to skimming activity, swooped on Jamie Steven McKee, 31, from the UK and Darrin John Williams, 48, at the ATM.

They searched them and seized three cloned ATM cards with handwritten numbers, along with the B20,000 that the duo had just withdrawn, two mobile phones, a wallet and two pairs of gloves.

Police then checked McKee’s room in Soi Kon Yang, and Williams’s apartment in Pisitkoranee Rd, Patong, where they found a machine used for programming cloned electronic cards, another 37 cards with handwritten numbers, a laptop computer, and a packet of marijuana.

The two confessed, adding that this was the first time they had used the phony cards. Police, however, noted that McKee has been in Thailand since March 14 and Williams had been to Thailand several times before.

They told the police that a person from Bangkok whose name they did not know sent the information for skimming to McKee and McKee later invited Williams to join him. McKee said he bought the card programming machine in Bangkok.

The two were sent to Phuket City Police Station for further questioning. Bank officers will check the details on the cloned cards to see which banks in which countries issued the original cards and how great the losses have been.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/brit-aussie-caught-using-skimmed-cards-in-phuket-51813.php

-- Phuket News 2015-04-09

They look very happy in the photo. I guess they well know it's a profitable gig here in thailand, even after paying off the cops.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. What a delightful couple.

I hope they trace the sale of the card programming machine, and nail the source

Did anyone notice their similarity with Ronnie Biggs and Charles Chaplin? Is it reincarnation?

good boys

Surely this can't be an official photo as there's no wall to wall line of BIB and no one's pointing.

Hard to believe the BIB missed a photo op. Not good enough allowing standards to slip.

The look of love is irreplaceable!

Rhetorical question: Why aren't they pointing at each other?

Won't be laughing once they slam the doors on the cell with 80 others sharing it.

So a minimum of 15 years for this crime under the electronic card fraud act!

Wonder if they know yet?

Never understood why these guys are always operating in Phuket and Pattaya, where police/bank staff/general public are very much aware of this type of fraud.

Myself, I would rather go from one provincial town to the other, milking ATM's on the way. Everybody seeing me would just assume I am a farang with a Thai sweetheart who comes from that area, in the process of withdrawing some cash to give the farm a new lick of paint.

Oh well, as the saying in Dutch goes: "The best sailor men are always standing on the shore".

Maybe BoT can finally get its act together and go to EMV chips.

Until banks in Thailand change their ATMCards/machines Thailand will remain a target for this activity. You never see Bangkok Bank targeted because they have already made the changes

Ah yes. Top notch quality tourist.

Lock them up and throw way the key

The two confessed, adding that this was the first time they had used the phony cards.

If it was left to me they would both be looking at a long swim home.

Until banks in Thailand change their ATMCards/machines Thailand will remain a target for this activity. You never see Bangkok Bank targeted because they have already made the changes

Ah, police are looking in to the countries where the skimmed cards originate, but you obviously know already. Maybe you can inform the police about your findings.

Getting tired of these card skimmers, they make life difficult for the victim every time a card gets skimmed. &*&^^%^ these guys!

they seem to take it light

for now, with that grim on their face

but oh dear THAI BANKING SYSTEM, when do you think you will implement those CHIPS on the cards, that would make those gangs useless

this is only the tip of the iceberg I think a good purge of pattaya would reveal many more criminals so called undesirables .

They look far too happy with themselves. I hope someone wipes that dumb smile off their faces. Too many of these types of creeps are in the country.

Bookém Dano.

Won't be laughing once they slam the doors on the cell with 80 others sharing it.

Read Livinginkatas post #2.

What a pair of lowlife scum, Smiling away as if they have done nothing wrong. Typical arrogance. Too many of these types over here who think they are above the law.

Lets hope the court dishes out a long jail sentance an we will see if they are still smiling then.

Rant over.

Oops mean sentence not sentance , before u all pull me up on my spelling.

Bangkok bank now have Chips on some of their cards. Can only be Uses in bb atm though

they are very hot in Thailand over this.the Bangkok Hilton awaits them for a long stay now.enjoy

Surprising as it is very difficult to outsmart the crack Thai security systems and police. Believe the culprits were ages 9 and 11 !

The pic is not in the cop shop it was taken after ther smoked a Fat one

People leave their brains at home, treat your cards and details as you would your passport, check machine, look behind you, cover keypads,it all helps to keep these leaches under control, just stand and watch how many idiots there are and the stupid things they do, that's another million times you have been told....... But!!!

Won't be laughing once they slam the doors on the cell with 80 others sharing it.

Read Livinginkatas post #2.

Too late for that. Have to make the payments before it hits the news.

It's a damp, hot and dirty floor for them.