Bank customers are being urged to check their accounts for suspicious transactions after two Romanian nationals were charged with almost 400 alleged fraud offences linked to an alleged card-skimming operation spanning dozens of suburbs.
Operation Yankee Iron Tread
Detectives from Indooroopilly Criminal Investigations Branch launched Operation Yankee Iron Tread in April after investigating a string of alleged fraud offences linked to businesses and ATMs. Police allege the men, aged 36 and 39, carried out a range of card-skimming related offences between February and May this year.
The alleged offending stretched across a huge area of Queensland, including suburbs in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Logan, the Gold Coast and regional areas.
Arrests and Seizures
On May 19, detectives executed a search warrant at a property in Boronia Heights, where the two men were arrested. During the search, police allegedly seized $20,000 in cash, skimming devices, identification information and template bank cards. Both men have now been charged with 195 offences each, including fraud, possessing identification information and possessing equipment allegedly intended to facilitate offences.
Police bail was refused and the pair were expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Police Warning
Indooroopilly CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Brendan Blyth said police would continue targeting anyone accused of exploiting Queenslanders through fraud and identity theft. “Stealing anyone’s personal information and hard-earned money is a brazen offence that police will not tolerate,” Blyth said.
“Police will take all reports of offences of this nature seriously.” He urged anyone who notices suspicious transactions to immediately contact their bank, report the matter to police and seek support services if needed.
Victims of scams can report incidents through ReportCyber, while information can also be provided to ScamWatch and IDCare.
Similar Scam in NSW
A similar alleged card-skimming scam in NSW last year allegedly netted almost $1 million before two people were charged.
