ATM scam

Simeon Stefanov Minchev, Veliko Zhelev Velikov and Plamen Dimitrov Petrov appeared at the Lautoka Magistrates Court Monday.

The alleged incidents occurred at ATM machines between Lautoka to Nadi around the 09 -12 last month.

The first accused Simeon Stefanov Minchev has been further charged with a separate count for the offence of unauthorised access to Restricted Data for using a skimming device at the Bred Bank in Lautoka.

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.

Catalin Razvan Veverita, who was arrested last month, was in court, but the matter was adjourned for a change of attorney for the defendant.

RNZI reports the Attorney General's office is also still finalising charges.

The Presiding District Judge Alalatoa Rosella Viane Papali'i said the matter would be adjourned on Tuesday.

Last month, the Police Commissioner Su'a Fuiavailili Egon Keil warned the public about the increase in these types of crimes in the region.

He advised people to check their bank accounts to make sure no money was taken out illegally.

Six Chinese nationals are in custody over the alleged scam.

Chief of Intelligence and Investigation, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Henry Brown, confirmed to Fiji Sun.

He said the Chinese were arrested in Lautoka on December 6 after a tip-off.

The Chinese had allegedly withdrawn more than $10,000 (US$5,000) when apprehended and a number of ATM cards were found on them, he said.

He said investigators were now trying to ascertain the origins of the ATM cards and they were liaising with financial institutions.