ATM hacking suspects held

KUALA LUMPUR: Police said several individuals have been arrested over the hacking of 18 automated teller machines (ATM) of four banks that lost over RM3 million two weeks ago.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar who disclosed this today did not elaborate on the identities of the individuals.
"We have made a few arrests and there is no need for me to say here if the suspects are still in or had left the country. Let's just wait and see what fate has in store for them," he said in a press conference in Bukit Aman today.
A gang of Latin American thieves had used a handheld device to upload malware into the software of 18 ATMs with outdated security systems between Sept 26 and Sept 28.
They subsequently managed to disable the security system of the ATM before withdrawing between RM200,000 and RM400,000 from each machine with ease in the new and unheard of tactic of stealing from banking machines.
On another matter, Khalid said efforts to free 26-year-old police constable Zakia Aleip who was kidnapped in an ambush by a group of South Philippines gunmen at a resort in Pulau Mabul, Sabah on July 12 were ongoing.
"We are doing all we can to ensure his safety and I do not wish to elaborate on the progress of the case as we fear it may jeopardise his life." he said.
Zakia who is attached to the marine police unit in Sabah was on patrol with four other colleagues when they were set upon by the gunman while carrying out checks at the resort. In an ensuing shootout, police corporal Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32 was killed while two other policemen managed to escape from the gunmen.
Zakia was taken captive by the gunmen and is believed to be held by them at an island in South Philippines.