Cops bust GTA debit card skimming ring

Halton Regional Police announced on Friday the multi-force takedown of a fraud ring responsible for over a quarter of a million dollars in debit card skimming.

It was on Jan. 31 — after the fraud bureau launched an investigation — that officers from various police forces swooped on several homes in the GTA, arresting 12 people and seizing numerous pieces of equipment allegedly used to copy debit card information at bank machines and gas station ATMs, as well as at some other commercial points of sale.

Also seized was equipment used to forge credit cards, numerous fraudulent cards, $40,000 in cash, computer equipment and three high-end vehicles formed the rest of the haul.

The accused, several of whom were already known to police, were arrested in Toronto, Vaughan and Markham, and range in age from 22 to 53. Charges include fraud over $5,000, conspiracy, participation in a criminal organization, possession of card data and the forging of credit cards.

Police forces in Durham Region, Toronto and York, as well as the OPP, were involved in the bust.

Halton police said the accused were responsible for over $300,000 in losses, and said that around 280 ATMs had been compromised, as well as pay-at-the-pump machines at several gas stations.

Posted in: Debit Card Fraud Deposit Account Fraud Account Takeover Identity Theft