Romanian national

Catalin Razvan faced 30 charges, included 10 counts of theft, 10 counts of accessing an electronic system without authority, and 10 counts of accessing an ATM system for dishonest purposes from 9 machines in Samoa.

The total amount stolen was US$1436, all from overseas accounts.

He was jailed for 7 months which will be reduced by the time he has spent in Police custody.

Bank authorities in Apia had acted after a tip off from branches in Tonga and Vanuatu where similar offences had occurred.

The District Court has denied an application by the man to leave Samoa in order to carry out business in Vanuatu while awaiting trial.

Catalin Razvan is facing 30 charges including several counts of theft and accessing ATM electronics with the intention to commit a crime.

RNZI reports Razvan was arrested in June after a bank notified the police of the alleged offences.

He has been released on bail but has also surrendered his travel documents.

The trial is set for 15 November.

The Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil confirmed that a 33-year old man is in custody awaiting his court mention in July.

The police chief didn't disclose details of the alleged crime but said they have been very proactive in stopping transnational crime in Samoa.

Commissioner Keil said Samoa Police have been working closely with the Pacific Transnational Crimes Network to stop these kind of crimes coming into the country.