Police warn of 'cash trap' devices fitted to ATMs

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 12:59 · Archive

Police have arrested three men after 'cash trap' devices were fitted to ATMs across Yorkshire, with the majority of offences reported in the region.

Police have arrested three men in connection with a series of 'cash trap' offences targeting ATMs across the UK. The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit said the majority of reported cases have occurred in the Yorkshire and Humber region, though offences have been reported more widely across England, Scotland and Wales.

The cash traps are concealed devices fitted to ATMs. When a victim makes a withdrawal, their account is debited but the money does not appear to be dispensed from the machine. Instead it is held in the hidden device, which the criminals later recover. The offenders then collect the cash they have trapped.

Three men, aged 30, 34 and 46, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and possession of articles intended to commit fraud. Two of the men have been released on bail while inquiries continue. The third was remanded in custody after being found to be unlawfully present in the UK in breach of a previous deportation order. Two of the men were arrested in Manchester and one in London.

Detective Sergeant Sam Harding of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit urged the public to be vigilant when using cash machines. He advised people to check machines for unusual attachments, loose fittings or signs of tampering before making withdrawals. If cash does not dispense but an account is debited, he said victims should report it to their bank immediately and contact Report Fraud or their local police force.

West Yorkshire Police said they are continuing to work with banking industry partners to deter and detect this type of offending and to target the criminal gangs behind it.

How it is being reported

• Police warning after gang 'fits cash traps' to ATMs across YorkshireWest Yorkshire Police is warning people to be vigilant after reports that a gang fitted "cash traps" to ATMs across Yorkshire.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 20 Oct, 12:16
• Police warning after gang 'fits cash traps' to ATMs across YorkshireWest Yorkshire Police is warning people to be vigilant after reports that a gang fitted "cash traps" to ATMs across Yorkshire.York Press · 20 Oct, 12:16
• Warning over 'cash traps' fitted to ATMsPolice say the "majority" of reported offences have been in the Yorkshire and Humber region.BBC York And North Yorkshire · 19 Oct, 14:30

In this story: Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit · West Yorkshire Police · Yorkshire · Yorkshire and Humber

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