Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have charged a man overnight and seized skimming equipment, clothing disguises and cloned cards associated with over $30,000 worth of fraudulent transactions.
A 43-year-old Glen Waverley man, allegedly dressed in a wig, glasses and a face mask, was arrested by Whitehorse Crime Investigation Unit at 6.30am yesterday morning (Tuesday, 18 April) at an ATM in Mount Waverley.
He was interviewed by Financial Crime Squad detectives and charged with nine counts of obtain financial advantage by deception.
The man was remanded overnight to appear at Ringwood Magistrates' Court today.
A warrant was subsequently executed at an address in Glen Waverley, where police located 18 cloned bank cards with PIN numbers written on them, a hire company vehicle, various skimming equipment including device and card readers, a large quantity of additional cloned cards and various clothing and articles of disguise.
Investigators will allege the man was involved in at least 15 events of using cloned cards associated with the 'deep skimming' insert device, fraudulently withdrawing at least $30,000.
Police believe the man has been utilising disguises including wigs, glasses and face masks, as well as using a variety of vehicles.
The investigation commenced in January of this year when police became aware of a number of card skimming events throughout Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Police will allege those involved were inserting card skimming devices in ATMs to fraudulently obtain victim's bank card data, including card details and PIN numbers.
The cloned cards were then used at multiple ATMs throughout Victoria to access money belonging to the victims.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anything with information on fraudulent activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestoppersvic.com.auExternal Link.
