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Date Published: 16/06/2022

ARCHIVED - Benidorm elderly swindled out of thousands at ATM by helpful con artists

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

The suspects acted as 'good Samaritans' before fleecing their victims in the Marina Baixa resort, Alicante province

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Benidorm elderly swindled out of thousands at ATM by helpful con artists

The National Police have arrested two people on suspicion of defrauding elderly victims of more than 7,000 euros at an ATM in Benidorm.

The detainees, a Spanish man and a Colombian man, allegedly jammed paper and other material into the card slot at an ATM in Benidorm. When elderly victims "with less knowledge of cashpoint transactions" tried to insert their bank card and were unable to do so, the two suspects approached them and offered to help.

After gaining their trust, the fraudsters told the victims that they could carry out the banking operation using the "contactless" mode – a system incorporated in cards with wireless communication technology that allows users to withdraw money from ATMs without having to insert the card.

Whilst "helping" the bewildered pensioners, the suspects took the opportunity to make a note of the PIN used to complete the transaction.

Once the victims had finished their operations, the 'good Samaritans' told them they had to swipe the card again to complete the transaction.

Unaware that the bank operation had been left open the victims then left, and the alleged thieves, armed with the PIN number, made cash withdrawals.

On several occasions, the fraudsters went so far as to swap the card for a different one with similar characteristics and and then made numerous purchases in shops and jewellers with the stolen cards.

Investigators have since managed to recover some of the stolen money along with several items of jewellery bought illegally.

The detainees, aged 39 and 44, one of whom has several convictions for similar offences, have appeared in court and released on charges of fraud.

The National Police has assured it is carrying out measures to prevent crimes against the elderly which are included in the 'Plan Mayor Seguridad' which is available to the public on its official website.

Now read: Cops on quads will patrol Benidorm beaches this summer

Image: Policía Nacional

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