ATM money trap, two arrested

 

 

Police have arrested two Romanian nationals who tried to steal money from ATMs in York Region near Toronto. They tried to steal money by sticking double-sided tapes on the cash dispensers of ATM machines. The suspects were caught in an investigation conducted by the York Regional Police’s Financial Crimes Unit after receiving 14 such fraud complaints from various banks between June 17 and July 27.

The suspects would stick double-sided tapes in advance on the ATM’s cash dispenser slots. When customers withdrew money, the tape would catch the money partially or completely, preventing it from coming out and getting stuck inside the machine. When customers left without receiving the money, the suspects would go to the ATM and take the stuck money and leave.

The suspects were arrested on August 6. The suspects were identified as Raswan Senica (41) and Vasile Stoyan (52). Both have been charged with theft under $5,000 and destruction of public property. Police seized a large amount of double-sided tape and metal pieces made for fraud from them. It has been found that the suspects traveled extensively in southwestern Ontario. Therefore, police suspect that more people may have been scammed.

Authorities urged the public to immediately report any irregularities or suspicious circumstances at ATMs to the bank or police.