3 nearly fall victim to new ATM scam

Police discovered late Friday yet another modus operandi of crime syndicates to steal cash through withdrawals from automated teller machines.

This time, a suspect would insert a metallic card coated with glue into the money dispenser of an ATM booth. The bills would stick to the glue and the unwitting customer would leave the booth without the money.

Based on reports from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 3, Elvie Perolino, Mario Reyes and Nerita Bairan went to the ATM machine of the United Coconut Planters’ Bank on Quirino Highway in Barangay Talipapa, Quezon City Friday night and made succeeding attempts to withdraw cash from the said machine.

But despite the machine’s direction to get their money, no cash had been dispensed.When they checked, they found out that there was a black metallic instrument inside the cash dispenser.

They could not find any security guard on duty so they sought the assistance of the nearby QCPD-Station3. Police Officer 1 Wilfredo Macam later discovered that the metallic card was covered with glue. He removed it and recovered a total of P7,000 cash.

QCPD director Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula recently warned the public against groups that use a skimmer device and a wireless camera to produce fake ATM cards and steal the victims' personal identification numbers. They then  withdraw money from their victims' accounts using the fake cards.