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Saudi Central BankSaudi Central BankNewsArrest of An International Gang Skimming Customer Card Data in The Kingdom and Put Tlss & Reproduction of Digital Cameras and Devices on ATMs
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Arrest of An International Gang Skimming Customer Card Data in The Kingdom and Put Tlss & Reproduction of Digital Cameras and Devices on ATMs
6/15/2015 12:00 AM

 

Within less than 72 hours from receiving a notification, the security authorities, in cooperation with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) security authorities and banks, was able to arrest an Asian gang that had installed advanced hacking devices on automatic teller machines in the Kingdom. The gang had been installing a reader in the place designated for entering the bank's cards to copy their data, and fixed a mini digital camera to record secret figures. It also reprinted the cards for use outside the Kingdom to withdraw money from the customers' accounts.

His Excellency the Vice-Governor of SAMA, Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Saleh Al-Fureih, stated that the rapid detection and arrest of the gang was  thanks to the Almighty Allah, and then to the vigilance and competency of the security authorities concerned with detecting economic and financial crimes. This was also due to the ongoing coordination between SAMA and banks with the security authorities in the Kingdom as well as the ongoing awareness campaigns conducted by SAMA in participation with banks to keep the public abreast of the technics followed in financial and banking fraudulence, and the adverse consequences of such transactions targeting banks' customers and the financial losses incurred by individuals. Hence, such crimes should be encountered by the cooperation of all individuals of the society. Customers should interact with the awareness messages transmitted by Saudi banks to prevent being victimized by financial cheating and banking fraud in order to protect their money and wealth against theft and loss.

SAMA has already issued many instructions for enhancing control procedures of banks' Automatic Teller Machines. According to the instructions, it is necessary to undertake stringent control procedures to curb financial fraud and embezzlement transactions, particularly those related to banks' cards inside and outside the Kingdom. Banks are required to raise the awareness of their customers against risks associated with the use of banks' cards inside and outside the Kingdom. Banks should also review their Fraud Detection Systems. They should update their infrastructure of ATMs and Points of Sales systems either by replacing such systems or by updating them. It is important that  Banks install Anti-financial embezzlement and fraud systems and software in line with latest developments in this area in order to reduce fraud and abuse attempts to which a bank and its customers might be exposed.

Mr. Al-Fureh has urged banks' customers to place a hand over the other when using ATMs or Points of Sales terminals to hide the movement of their fingers upon entering their password both inside and outside the Kingdom. They should communicate with SAMA and banks in case of any suspicion of the existence of anything that attracts their attention such as strange parts or a situation different from what is normal  with regards to ATMs or POSs terminals.

Enclosed herewith some pictures of fraud devices that have been discovered.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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