Cash machine fraud hits Alderley

by Lisa Reeves

Wednesday 18^th May 2011

Wed 18^th May 2011

Following a spate of thefts from an ATM machine the police are warning local residents to be mindful of this fraud.

Over the last couple of weeks five incidents of cash machine fraud have been reported in the village where a mouse trap device has been fitted to an ATM machine on London Road in order to defraud customers.

As a result of these reports, Wilmslow Neighbourhood Police Unit carried out an operation on Thursday, 12th May, and two men from Eastern Europe were caught in the act and arrested.

Luigi Viorel Chilindar, 20, of no fixed abode and Elvis Don Gherasim, 22, from London were charged on Friday 13th May. Chilindar is charged with conspiracy to steal and Gherasim is charged with driving without a license, no insurance and conspiracy to steal. Both are due to appear at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 21st June.

This type of fraud has predominantly taken place in London but it is now being displaced nationally so the police are urging local residents to be aware of this fraud when using an ATM machine to withdraw money.

Inspector Matt Welsted said "If after requesting cash from an ATM you are unable to see the cash dispenser it is likely that the machine has been tampered with and police should be notified immediately along with the bank's management."

If you notice anything suspicious then contact Wilmslow Neighbourhood Policing Unit on 0845 458 0000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tags:: Crime

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Fenton Simpson

Thursday 19^th May 2011 at 6:26 pm

This is ridiculous the banks should be checking their machines daily if it's attached to their branch! They only have to step outside. Tesco is another storey but I'm sure there staff could be trained to spot something that looks odd.

DELETED ACCOUNT [Kassie Brora]

Sunday 22^nd May 2011 at 4:55 pm

This crime has come into this country via Romania. Thanks to Tony Blair and the glorious EU with our lax border controls we have to pay the price. Ireland had a huge problem with Romanian fraudsters targeting cash machines in and around Dublin, they work in gangs and also go in for distraction robberies. Bring back the Iron Curtain and soviet border guards

Duncan Marr

Tuesday 24^th May 2011 at 12:58 pm

The banks should include photos on the machines' screens indicating to customers what to look for in terms of fraudulent interference.

Paul Sidorczuk

Tuesday 24^th May 2011 at 1:10 pm

The two countries with known criminality that were made members of the European Community were Romania and Bulgaria. There is a strong Roma presence in both these countries. In London, there are numerous organised pick-pocketing gangs, mostly girls, from both these countries.