Financial and Cyber Crime Group detectives have charged three men with fraud offences after three card skimming devices were seized in Brisbane.
On Wednesday August 2, a financial institution alerted authorities to a card skimming device and pin hole camera located in an ATM on Queen Street in Brisbane City.
On Thursday August 3, cybercrime detectives monitoring the area observed a 37-year-old man and 21-year-old man approach the ATM.
Officers approached the men who allegedly attempted to run from the scene, before they were taken into custody.
The following day a search warrant was executed on an Upper Mount Gravatt property and vehicle, where a third man was taken into custody.
Within the property police allegedly located two pin-hole cameras and several fraudulent identification items, including bank cards, and images of a licence and passport.
It will be alleged the pin-hole cameras were hidden within bank-branded ATM parts.
On July 31, a package was seized from a Brisbane postal facility, containing two card skimming devices.
It will be alleged the package was intended to be delivered to one of the men, under a false name, that matched a fraudulent identification item located in the search warrant at Upper Mount Gravatt.
A 37-year-old man and 21-year-old man have each been charged with two counts of possessing equipment for purpose of committing/facilitating the commission of an offence and one count each of obtaining or dealing with identification information and obstruct police.
Both men were remanded in custody and their matters are next expected to be heard before Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 6.
A 34-year-old man has been charged with two counts of possessing equipment for purpose of committing/facilitating the commission of an offence and obtaining or dealing with identification information.
He was remanded in custody and his matter is next expected to be heard before Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 23.
Joint investigations with the Australian Federal Police Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3) indicate the men are linked to a card skimming syndicate operating across the east-coast of Australia.
Financial and Cyber Crime Group Commander, Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath said this is a reminder to anyone who attempts to take advantage of innocent Queenslanders, that police will catch up with them.
"Stealing someone's personal information and hard earned money is calculated and cruel, and anyone convicted of identity theft or possessing skimming devices faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment," Detective Superintendent McGrath said.
"I urge anyone who notices fraudulent transactions on their accounts to immediately notify their financial institution, then report the matter to police and seek any personal support you may need."
Victims of a scam can make a report with ReportCyber. Anyone with information relating to a scam, can report it to ScamWatch.
Any victims of identity theft or fraud can find options for support services at IDCare.
Information on online safety and fraud prevention is available online.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
