Since the beginning of October 2009 the Cheque and Payment Card Unit at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation has been targeting criminals involved in the theft and use of payment cards from primarily female victims all over the country.
The gang operated by “shoulder surfing”, most usually, an older woman, at supermarket checkouts and noting their PIN number when paying for goods. They then approach their target in the supermarket car park and cause a distraction while an accomplice steals the card from the lady’s handbag, incidents of this nature have been reported at various locations around the country.
One Laser card stolen in Co. Leitrim, went unnoticed by the injured party for a number of days allowing the criminals to spend €40,000 on the card countrywide. There were 130 fraudulent transactions in four days recorded on this particular card. Approximately 84 pieces of CCTV from numerous locations has been secured and the users of card recorded.
A Garda operation lead to the arrest of a 38 year old woman and a 45 year old man at Dublin Airport, as they were about to leave for Amsterdam on Monday, 7th December. They were detained at Ballymun Garda Station and on the 8th of December they were charged and appeared at Blanchardstown District Court where they were remanded in custody. They are due to appear later in the month at Blanchardstown District Court
A third person, a man, was arrested in Tallaght and detained at Santry Garda Station. He was later charged and released on bail to appear at Tallaght District Court on the 14th of December 2009. All three are Romanian nationals.
Garda Press Office.
