Two men have been charged after police discovered more than 1,000 sets of allegedly stolen bank details and PIN codes in a Sydney home, believed to be linked to a Romanian card skimming network. Police searched a Wolli Creek residence and found the compromised customer information, along with card skimming devices and 1,500 blank cards.
Authorities also seized $50,000 in cash, electronic devices, and designer products from a second home in the same suburb. Police anticipate uncovering additional sets of stolen bank details as they examine the seized electronics.
The card skimming devices were allegedly used to steal customers' card information and PIN numbers, primarily targeting ATMs in Sydney's CBD but also across the country. Police estimate the scheme's value at over $3.7 million based on the number and capacity of the blank cards found.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja stated that the operation is part of a transnational card skimming network based in Romania. He alleged the men traveled to Australia with false passports, saying, 'We allege that this group came here for the specific purpose of targeting ordinary and innocent Australians.'
During the search, one of the men allegedly threw his phone off a 10-story balcony onto the Princes Highway, but it was later recovered by police. Detective Superintendent Arbinja added, 'This group has got their fingerprints all over the area, they've had it in the United States and in Europe and all over Asia as well.' He advised anyone whose banking information may have been compromised to expect contact from their bank.
The 40-year-old and 43-year-old men were charged with offenses including participating in group criminal activity and possessing equipment to make false documents. They were refused bail and are scheduled to face Sutherland Local Court today. Police are also pursuing another person connected to the operation.
