Greek Police Break High-Tech ATM Card Fraud

Sept. 16, 2005
Pair accused of using scanners and cameras at ATMs to steal card info and users' passwords

ATHENS, Greece -- Police in Athens have arrested two men suspected of using forged ATM cards to steal at least euro105,000 (US$128,000) from more than two dozen bank accounts in a high-tech scam, authorities said on Friday.

The suspects installed scanners in bank automated teller machines around the greater Athens region, coupled with mini cameras to record ATM card users' passwords, police said.

The two allegedly forged cash withdrawal cards containing the scanned data, with which they withdrew money from at least 27 accounts.

The unidentified suspects were arrested on Thursday after being captured on a central Athens bank's CCTV network.