Fraudster who used skimming devices on pumps jailed

Romanian believed to be part of a gang operating throughout the country

A man believed to be part of a “skimming” gang caught fixing devices to payment pumps at a Dunfermline petrol station has been jailed.

The incident took place on a Saturday afternoon when the alarm was raised by another driver who became suspicious of the behaviour of Romanian fraudster Stefan Rupa.

Rupa, 42, was quickly identified as the culprit after dropping his wallet at the scene, containing his ID cards.

He later gave a false address in East Wemyss, claiming he was living there.

It is believed he was part of a crime gang operation putting skimming appliances on card machines around the country.

The devices are designed to obtain bank card details and PIN numbers but failed this time as they were quickly found by police after they were alerted by the motorist.

Rupa admitted placing the electronic devices over payment units at self-pay pumps at the Tesco petrol station at Winterthur Lane and attempted to steal bank details on March 8.

Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said the incident occurred at 5.40pm on a Saturday afternoon. Two men were seen acting suspiciously next to a petrol pump and a customer phoned the police.

A Tesco staff member went out to check the petrol forecourt and found the wallet lying on the ground.

Police found two skimming devices which had been attached to card-only payment pumps.

CCTV was checked to find the registration number of Rupa’s car and he was traced and stopped by a police patrol car.

He was detained and investigations uncovered a recent £1,000 payment to him from someone in Romania.

“It is thought that the accused was involved in a large-scale organised crime group travelling from locus to locus and carrying out similar offences,” Mr Kapadia said.

Rupa claimed he was living in Fife and gave a false East Wemyss address.

Defence solicitor Selina Mackay said, “He was raised in Romania and came to the UK to find a better life. He was originally in London and had been in Scotland for a month before this offence.

“He was not receiving any benefits and was struggling financially.”

Ms Mackay said her client had been offered £100 for putting devices on petrol pumps. “He says it was the first time he’d ever done this,” she added.

Sheriff Charles MacNair said, “This was an attempt to commit credit card fraud by the use of a skimming device.

“You say you were to receive £100. The problem I have with that is wherever the information provided by you can be verified it seems to be false.

“In any event this was a very serious offence.”

He jailed Rupa for six months.