Hi-tech thieves steal RM568,000 from ATMs

PETALING JAYA: Thieves are now using a new and almost effortless tactic to steal money from automated teller machines (ATM).
Last week, five cases were reported in Johor and Selangor.
In the latest case, a bank lost RM265,000 at its branch in USJ Taipan, Subang Jaya, via scores of fraudulent ATM transactions that began at 8.30am on Saturday.
A closed-circuit security camera recording showed the thieves, believed to be foreigners, using an earphone connected to a handheld device and inserting a card into the ATM.
Over the next two hours, two thieves were seen taking turns to withdraw cash until the machine ran dry after 137 transactions.
Their actions did not raise suspicion as it appeared that they were making regular withdrawals.
Police believe they used a sophisticated device to bypass the ATM security software.
Subang Jaya police chief ACP Yahaya Ramli said investigations are ongoing and the bank's technicians recovered a mobile phone SIM card lodged in the affected ATM.
On the same day at about 5.30pm, the thieves hit the bank's branch in Jalan Yong Shook Lin here, where they stole RM303,000 in a similar fashion, leaving just RM3,500 in the machine.