ATM fraudsters held in custody

Two Romanian men were yesterday denied bail after being charged with withdrawing some €10,000 from bank ATMs after they tampered with the machines.

34-year-old Silviu Mirica and 30-year-old Alexandru Hrinca were charged before Magistrate Marseanne Farrugia with theft of credit card details and tempering with various ATMs round Malta to steal money from credit cards.

They were further charged with forming part of a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit a crime, defrauding Bank of Valletta and HSBC, and using another person’s access code to gain access to an information system.

The theft occurred from at least twelve ATMs including ones in Bugibba, Qawra, Mosta and Zejtun. Inspector Matthew Vella, prosecuting, said several credit cards and cash were found in the possession of the co-accused. The men claim they are both unemployed and homeless.

Mr Mirica pleaded guilty. Mr Hrinca pleaded not guilty and requested bail.

The prosecution objected, pointing out that the man has no fixed address and that the house in which he was found was not rented to him. Inspector Vella said the accused had given false information and was untrustworthy.

Defence lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace, argued that the prosecution has already presented sufficient evidence, therefore the concern that the accused might tamper with evidence was very low. After a lengthy deliberation, the Magistrate ruled that the accused could not be granted bail. Lawyer Joe Ellis appeared for Mirica while Yana Micallef Stafrace appeared for Hrinca.

The arrest of the two men was possible following a joint antifraud operation between the Police Rapid Intervention Unit and the Economic Crime Section.

It is understood that the men ‘skimmed the cards by installing hidden cameras near ATMs to acquire the PIN numbers. Another device, which is placed on the machine, gathers different data. One of the accused was caught red-handed in Bugibba.

The police believe that another two Romanian men are involved in the operation. European Arrest Warrants are expected to be issued.