Malaysian arrested for ATM fraud in Malate

AMalaysian national was arrested Tuesday afternoon for withdrawing sizeable amounts of cash using cloned automated teller machine (ATM) cards in Malate, Manila.

Chief Insp. Joselito De Ocampo, Manila Police Distric (MPD) General Assignment and Investigation Section chief, identified the arrested suspect as Chen Lehom, 34.

It was learned that he has been staying in the country for the last four years.

Investigation showed that the Philippine Business Bank (PBB) received reports of unauthorized transactions on their automated teller machine ATM at the Malate branch along M. Adriatico Street.

Closede circuit television (CCTV) footage caught Lehom in the act of withdrawing cash using the cloned cards.

Bank personnel told the police that Lehom withdrew R6,200 on Oct. 3, 2017.

He made another transaction and was able to withdraw R20,000 on November 28.

He also managed to withdraw a total of R82,500 on December 15 and 18.

The bank’s security officer Francis Ian Moncera spotted Lehom at around 3 p.m. Tuesday attempting to withdraw money anew from the ATM terminal.

He was promptly accosted, arrested and brought to the police station.

Chief Insp. De Ocampo said that at least four cloned ATM cards and a card reader were confiscated from Lehom.

Lehom is now detained at the custodial facility of MPD-GAIS and will be charged with violation Republic Act 8484 or the Access Device Regulations Act of 2008.